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When the Storm of Chieftaincy Conflict Settles: What Happens to Food Security?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2025

Samuel Marfo Open the ORCID record for Samuel Marfo [Opens in a new window] ,
Hamza Mohammed  and
John Yaw Akparep Open the ORCID record for John Yaw Akparep [Opens in a new window]
Samuel Marfo*
Affiliation:
Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa, Ghana
Hamza Mohammed
Affiliation:
Center for Conflict, Peace and Security, Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
John Yaw Akparep
Affiliation:
Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa, Ghana
*
Corresponding author: Samuel Marfo; Email: smarfo@ubids.edu.gh
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Abstract

In Ghana, the institution of chieftaincy, a traditional political governance system, is saddled with a number of conflicts which have far-reaching implications for food security in affected communities. This study examined how the infamous Bimbilla chieftaincy conflicts in the Northern Region of Ghana undermined the food security situation in the context of hunger, famine and sudden rise in food prices. A total of 383 respondents were randomly and purposely selected in a convergent mixed-methods study design. Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were the main primary data collection methods. The study revealed that the chieftaincy conflicts significantly impacted hunger (β = –0.152, t = –2.807, p = 0.005) and famine (β = 0.188, t = 3.443, p = 0.001). A sudden increase in food prices (β = 0.006, t = 0.113, p = 0.910) stood as the only food security factor which was not affected substantially by the chieftaincy conflicts.

Abstracto

Abstracto

En Ghana, la institución de la jefatura, sistema tradicional de gobernanza política, se ve afectada por diversos conflictos que tienen profundas implicaciones para la seguridad alimentaria de las comunidades afectadas. Este estudio examinó cómo los infames conflictos de la jefatura de Bimbilla en la región norte de Ghana socavaron la seguridad alimentaria en un contexto de hambre, hambruna y aumento repentino de los precios de los alimentos. Se seleccionó aleatoriamente y deliberadamente a 383 encuestados mediante un diseño de estudio convergente de métodos mixtos. Los principales métodos de recopilación de datos fueron cuestionarios, entrevistas y grupos focales. El estudio reveló que los conflictos de la jefatura tuvieron un impacto significativo en el hambre (β = –0,152, t = –2,807, p = 0,005) y la hambruna (β = 0,188, t = 3,443, p = 0,001). Un aumento repentino de los precios de los alimentos (β = 0,006, t = 0,113, p = 0,910) fue el único factor de seguridad alimentaria que no se vio afectado sustancialmente por los conflictos entre cacicazgos.

Abstrait

Abstrait

Au Ghana, l’institution de la chefferie, système traditionnel de gouvernance politique, est en proie à de nombreux conflits aux conséquences profondes sur la sécurité alimentaire des communautés concernées. Cette étude a examiné comment les tristement célèbres conflits de chefferie de Bimbilla, dans la région nord du Ghana, ont compromis la sécurité alimentaire dans un contexte de faim, de famine et de hausse soudaine des prix des denrées alimentaires. Au total, 383 répondants ont été sélectionnés aléatoirement et délibérément dans le cadre d’une étude convergente à méthodes mixtes. Les questionnaires, les entretiens et les groupes de discussion ont été les principales méthodes de collecte de données. L’étude a révélé que les conflits de chefferie avaient un impact significatif sur la faim (β = –0,152, t = –2,807, p = 0,005) et la famine (β = 0,188, t = 3,443, p = 0,001). Une augmentation soudaine des prix des denrées alimentaires (β = 0,006, t = 0,113, p = 0,910) était le seul facteur de sécurité alimentaire qui n’était pas substantiellement affecté par les conflits de chefferie.

摘要

摘要

在加纳，酋长制度是一种传统的政治治理体系，它背负着许多冲突，这些冲突对受影响社区的粮食安全产生了深远的影响。本研究考察了加纳北部地区臭名昭著的比姆比拉酋长冲突如何在饥饿、饥荒和粮食价格突然上涨的背景下破坏粮食安全状况。在收敛混合方法研究设计中，共随机特意选择了 383 名受访者。问卷调查、访谈和焦点小组讨论是主要的原始数据收集方法。研究表明，酋长冲突对饥饿  （β = –0.152，t = –2.807，p = 0.005)和饥荒（β = 0.188，t = 3.443，p = 0.001)产生了重大影响。粮食价格突然上涨（β = 0.006，t = 0.113，p = 0.910)是唯一没有受到酋长冲突重大影响的粮食安全因素。

ملخص

ملخص

في غانا، تُثقل كاهل مؤسسة الزعامة، وهي نظام الحكم السياسي التقليدي، بعدد من النزاعات التي لها آثار بعيدة المدى على الأمن الغذائي في المجتمعات المتضررة. تناولت هذه الدراسة كيف قوضت نزاعات الزعامة سيئة السمعة في منطقة شمال غانا وضع الأمن الغذائي في ظل الجوع والمجاعة والارتفاع المفاجئ في أسعار المواد الغذائية. اختير 383 مشاركًا عشوائيًا وبشكل مقصود في دراسة تقاربية مختلطة. وكانت الاستبيانات والمقابلات ومجموعات النقاش المركزة هي الأساليب الرئيسية لجمع البيانات. كشفت الدراسة أن نزاعات الزعامة أثرت بشكل كبير على الجوع (β = –0.152، t = –2.807، p = 0.005) والمجاعة (β = 0.188، t = 3.443، p = 0.001). كان الارتفاع المفاجئ في أسعار المواد الغذائية (β = 0.006، t = 0.113، p = 0.910) العامل الوحيد المؤثر في الأمن الغذائي الذي لم يتأثر بشكل كبير بنزاعات الزعامات.

Keywords

chieftaincyconflictfood securityhungerfaminecacicazgoconflictoseguridad alimentariahambrehambrunachefferieconflitsécurité alimentairefaimfamine酋长冲突粮食安全饥饿饥荒。الزعاماتالنزاعاتالأمن الغذائيالجوعالمجاعة
Type
Article
Information
International Annals of Criminology , First View , pp. 1 - 18
Copyright
© International Society of Criminology, 2025

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