In the early 1990s, tensions between the Mo tribe and the Nkoranza tribe erupted into violent conflict. Women from both tribes fled their homes with their children while their husbands, brothers, and fathers fought. Many died during the war.
The violence eventually ceased, but strained relations between the two neighbouring tribes continued.
In early 2009, David Mensah – NEA’s Director and a newly-elected Mo chief – was praying about the situation. He wanted to see the tribes reunited and working together for the betterment of their communities.
While David was discussing the situation with his wife, wondering how he might approach the Nkoranza chief in dialogue, he received a phone call. A representative of the Nkoranza chief contacted him with a request to dialogue!
Soon thereafter, David and a delegation of other Mo leaders met with the Nkronza delegation. As they went out to their meetings, the women were crying with joy that the tensions that had burdened them for so many years were being lifted.
Both tribes agreed to live in peace as friends. Furthermore, they developed an inspiring plan to protect all of the forests in their jurisdiction from charcoal harvesting. With the support of leaders from the two tribes, this will be an effective and crucial step in protecting Northern Ghana’s resources for the communities who need them.
