Exploring Ethnic Cosmopolitanism as a Catalyst for Sustainable Peacebuilding in Northern Ghana

ABSTRACT Many scholars often refer to the instrumentality of cosmopolitan values and ideals in fostering inclusivity across societies of the world. Yet relatively little academic attention has been given to exploring how cosmopolitan ideals could be leveraged as a tool for sustainable peacebuilding in multicultural and multi‐ethnic communities. This study aimed to address this gap by connecting cosmopolitanism, ethnic pluralism, ethnic conflict and sustainable peace. The study explored the perceptions of ethnicity and their dynamics in conflict escalation and sophistication in Northern Ghana with focus on the Kusaasi‐Mamprusi conflict in Bawku Traditional Area. The purpose is to propose a pathway towards the gradual removal of ethnic boundaries for the emergence of a cosmopolitan ethnic identity—a liberalized identity that integrates values, norms and traditions of all cultural groups in a community. The research adopted a qualitative approach using interviews and focus group discussions to gather data from 50 purposively sampled participants belonging to the Kusaasi, Mamprusi, Mossi, Busanga, and Hausa ethnic societies. The study found that ethnic divisions worsened the conflict dynamics in Bawku. While participants recognized the need for a peaceful coexistence, dual claims to ancestral lands created an indigene‐settler dichotomy making peacebuilding efforts much more difficult. The study argues that the development of a cosmopolitan ethnic society that integrates all the core values of the discerned ethnic societies in Bawku holds the potential to de‐escalate conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence. Public sensitization, education, and awareness programmes are recommended to promote tolerance, respect, and appreciation for unity in diversity.