The Volta/Oti Regions of Ghana have experienced several recurring violent conflicts and one such conflict is the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict, involving the Nkonya and Alavanyo ethnic groups. The conflict that started in 1913 poses serious security and developmental challenges specifically to the regions and the country. Scholars have attempted to explore different mechanisms and approaches, including the media’s role in understanding conflict and its resolution process. In Ghana, the media (especially, TV and radio) through its coverage often typically prompt the appropriate national security apparatus and secondary key stakeholders to intervene. However, we still lack empirical insights about the role of print media in the prevention and the management of conflict. This study adopted in-depth interviews with selected key informants and content analysis of 80 editions of the Ghanaian Times and Daily Graphic coverage of the conflict between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2017 to arrive at the findings. It revealed that most of the stories covered were not accompanied by any form of image, hence, not attaching prominence to the conflict as needed. Besides, the tone of the stories was neutral while the frame was more geared towards peace. This study recommends that newspapers should give equal attention to conflict stories for the public to be well informed about the dynamics, dilemmas and phases of the resolution process.

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Print Media, Conflict Prevention and Management in Nkonya-Alavanyo, Ghana

  • Sadiq Adu-Twum,
  • Abdul Karim Issifu,
  • Owusu Boampong

摘要

The Volta/Oti Regions of Ghana have experienced several recurring violent conflicts and one such conflict is the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict, involving the Nkonya and Alavanyo ethnic groups. The conflict that started in 1913 poses serious security and developmental challenges specifically to the regions and the country. Scholars have attempted to explore different mechanisms and approaches, including the media’s role in understanding conflict and its resolution process. In Ghana, the media (especially, TV and radio) through its coverage often typically prompt the appropriate national security apparatus and secondary key stakeholders to intervene. However, we still lack empirical insights about the role of print media in the prevention and the management of conflict. This study adopted in-depth interviews with selected key informants and content analysis of 80 editions of the Ghanaian Times and Daily Graphic coverage of the conflict between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2017 to arrive at the findings. It revealed that most of the stories covered were not accompanied by any form of image, hence, not attaching prominence to the conflict as needed. Besides, the tone of the stories was neutral while the frame was more geared towards peace. This study recommends that newspapers should give equal attention to conflict stories for the public to be well informed about the dynamics, dilemmas and phases of the resolution process.