The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) will convene a National Dialogue on Farmer-Herder Conflict in Ghana on Monday, November 16, 2026, in Accra.
Funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) through OXFAM in Ghana, the dialogue will be held on the theme, “Strengthening Peaceful Farmer-Herder Relations through Conflict-Sensitive Journalism and Inclusive Dialogue.”
The event comes amid persistent tensions between farming and herding communities over access to land, water and grazing resources, crop destruction, livestock losses and unresolved grievances. These challenges, compounded by climate change and weaknesses in conflict-resolution mechanisms, continue to threaten livelihoods, community relations and local security.
Although Ghana has existing policies, laws and district-level by-laws relevant to livestock movement and grazing, challenges relating to their coordination, implementation and enforcement raise important questions about the effectiveness of current regulatory arrangements.
The forum will therefore provide a platform to examine these challenges, assess existing interventions and identify practical measures for strengthening peaceful coexistence, institutional accountability and community-based conflict prevention.
A central focus will be the role of the media in conflict prevention. Recognising the media’s influence on public perceptions, the dialogue will explore how accurate, balanced and conflict-sensitive journalism can counter misinformation, challenge harmful stereotypes, amplify community perspectives and promote accountability.
The forum will feature a keynote address by renowned security expert Professor Kwesi Aning and a presentation of findings from a WANEP-commissioned study on farmer-herder conflict in Ghana. A moderated panel discussion involving representatives from the security service, the media, farmers’ associations and the Fulbe community will examine institutional responses, community experiences and practical solutions.
The dialogue is expected to generate actionable recommendations on strengthening livestock regulations, improving community-based dispute resolution and promoting responsible journalism as a tool for peaceful coexistence.
