Exploring Traditional Mediation Systems and Their Relevance to Contemporary Conflict Management in Ghana

Managing conflicts over lands, families, and chieftaincy disagreements have become a global concern. Also, I analyzed structure, mechanisms, and theory of traditional mediation in order to understand its usefulness in resolving modern day conflicts by drawing the possible differences between the traditional mediation and modern-day Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes, and the institutional loopholes which are incompatible with official frameworks. I employed the qualitative research approach with a multiple-case study design as strategy of enquiry. The data collection technique used was semi-structured interview guide. The sample size of the study was twenty-one (21) research participants from a total population of 39 from eight (8) categories. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. The 21 research participants were very knowledgeable in the traditional mediation system and as such aligned with the objectives of the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data using NVivo software.