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An assessment of the conflict resolution mechanisms in use by Ghanaian public universities

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Abstract

Institutional conflicts that are rooted in history are a global phenomenon, and Ghanaian public universities (GPUs) are no exception. To resolve these varied and sometimes complex occurrences, individuals and systems within academic spaces have tended to apply multifaceted mechanisms, ranging from simple Alternative Dispute Resolutions strategies (ADRs) such as negotiation to complex judicial adjudication processes. This study assesses the use of these mechanisms within Ghanaian public universities, with specific reference to a Ghanaian public university anonymized in this study as GPU1 within the context of confidentiality. Underpinned by an interpretative philosophical model, an exploratory case study design was adopted using a qualitative methodological approach that involved 20 participants who were purposively selected based on their knowledge on the subject area, or in very limited circumstances randomly selected. Amongst other things the study revealed that the conflicts within campuses are both internally and externally generated, in terms of their causations. Further, many of the conflicts have devastating effects that sometimes led to the disruption of academic work as well as the detraction of the overall institutional work output. Nonetheless, most of the conflict resolution approaches in use by GPUs in particular ADRs, are effective and often lead to the timeous restoration of peace on campuses. To identify conflict signals from afar and prevent same, professionally-inclined Conflict Resolution Committees should be set up within universities, and also mandated to resolve organizational conflicts in an effective and efficient manner. Moreover, peace education lessons should be incorporated into university curriculums to minimize the occurrences of conflicts. This study does not only impact positively on the theory and practice of conflict resolution, but also enhances the conflict resolution skills of policymakers within the public space.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are unavailable to the public for reasons of the confidential nature of the study on the institution in question that is still not out of conflicting circumstances. Nevertheless, datasets including transcribed work and audio, and video captures of interviews are available from the authors upon reasonable requests. Further, a significant amount of the data is outlined within the methodology of the study.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge all participants who made this study a successful one, but for reasons of anonymity, we are unable to mention their names here.

Funding

We did not receive any financial support from any individual or an institution. Indeed, all the cost in the course of this study has been borne by the main author, Professor George Hikah Benson.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Conflict, Human Rights and Peace Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

    G.H. Benson

  2. University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

    I.Y. Manu

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Contributions

Professor G.H.B. as the main author of the work, undertook the following: the study conception, design, data collection and analysis. Further, Prof. G.H.B. wrote both the first and final drafts of the manuscript, including the proofreading of the final work. Moreover, corrections and responses to the Reviewers’ and Editors’ comments were done solely by Professor Benson. On his part, the co-author namely Mr. I.Y.M., also actively participated in the collection and analysis of the results.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G.H. Benson.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

All ethical considerations were in full fulfilment. For instance, the Departmental Academic Board of the Centre for Conflict, Human Rights and Peace Studies of the University under study, gave a letter of approval before the launch of the study. In addition, the University Management gave its blessing before the start of the investigation.

Informed consent

Since the survey involved human elements, the authors obtained expressed consent from all participants before the interviews were conducted under strict confidentiality.

Conflict of interest

We solemnly declare that this manuscript is free from both financial and non-financial interests’ encumbrances. The publication of this manuscript will not bring any financial or non-financial losses to the institution and persons we investigated. The work actually was not influenced in any way by the premises of our professional interests nor our personal relationship with the institution and the individuals interviewed. Moreover, the authors have neither financial, non-financial nor competing interests to disclose that are of relevance to the content of this article.

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Benson, G., Manu, I. An assessment of the conflict resolution mechanisms in use by Ghanaian public universities. SN Soc Sci 4, 52 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00850-8

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