Ghana experienced many disputes in 2018, generating controversies that characterised public discourse on many national issues.
The disputes, many of which were a result of misunderstanding, poor communication and the assumption of entrenched positions, were recorded in almost all the sectors of the economy, including the financial, mining, educational, health, political, religious, maritime, agriculture and the labour sectors.
Some of the dispute produced dire consequences, while some of them remain unresolved, with a number of them travelling to the courts for litigation.
Most of the disputes could have been amicably resolved by resorting to Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
ADR Daily brings you a glimpse of 20 of the disputes recorded in 2018
- Medical Supply Drones saga
A project agreement to use drones to transport essential medical supplies sparks controversy in the country.
- Referendum controversy
A referendum to create new regions out of a number of the current regions has generated disputes and divisions among the chiefs and people in the affected regions.
- National Cathedral project
The planned building of a National Cathedral at Ridge which requires the demolishing of expensive structures, generates immense controversy, while other faiths question the rationale, with suggestions of neglect.
- NDC Flagbearership fees
A GH¢420,000 NDC flagbearership nomination and filing fees results in an impasse in the party, with the aspirants challenging the decision.
- BoG and Communication Ministry fight
Dispute erupts between BoG and Communication Ministry over the release of Mobile Money Data.
- PBC spars with COCOBOB
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Produce Buying Company Limited (PBC) engaged in a tango over the delayed payment to farmers for purchased cocoa beans.
- CETAG Strike
Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) engage in prolonged strike action in demand for research allowance, market premium and frozen salaries.
- Dagbon Peace troubles
A peace deal from a customary arbitration by three eminent chiefs led by the Asantehene is rejected by the Andani family, threatening efforts for sustainable peace in Dagbon
- Mortuary Workers Strike
Mortuary workers at various public hospitals across the country laid down their tools to press demands for improved working conditions.
- Bobolebobo controversy
Two pastors and gospel musicians fight over the ownership right for popular Bobolebobo song.
- PMMC and Ghana Standards Authority fight
The Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ghana Standards Authority fight over the right to gold assaying and certification in Ghana.
- TUC rejects private payroll cleaning
The Trades Union Congress is fighting attempts by government to engage a private firm for a national payroll cleaning exercise.
- Menzgold Saga
A dispute between the management of Menzgold and the Securities and Exchanges Commission over regulatory breaches has led a virtually collapsed Menzgold firm.
- Anlo youth warns chiefs over Akwasidae visit
Disputes erupts in Anlo over a decision by the Awoamefia of Anlo, Torgbi Sri III and some chiefs in the Volta Region to attend this year’s Akwasidae festival in Kumasi, with the Anlo youth warning the chiefs against the move.
- Ghana-Togo maritime boundary dispute
Negotiation talks to settle the maritime boundary dispute has encountered a series of failures, as international arbitration becomes the next option for consideration.
- KNUST Protests
Violent protests by students against the conversion of male and female halls into mixed halls leads to the closure of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) after the destruction of property.
- UEW leadership crisis
The prolonged court litigation and leadership crisis at the University of Education Winneba (UEW) resulted in the university having two Vice Chancellors.
- Nkwanta SHS closed down over student riots.
The Nkwanta Senior High School in the Volta Region was closed down indefinitely following student rioting over the seizure of their mobile phones by teachers.
- Mine Workers Union constitutional impasse
A proposal to amend the constitution of the Ghana Mineworkers Union to have the tenure of national executives extended from two to three terms, has sparked controversy in the union, with most of the executives rejecting the move.
- Consolidated banks saga
The take over and consolidation of five suffering banks by the Bank of Ghana sparks controversy in the financial sector.
