Conflict resolution workshop and the development of a conflict resolution system for the cassava project

Abstract

The conflict resolution workshop was organised within the framework of the DFID Funded project on 'Sustainable Uptake of Cassava as an Industrial Commodity'. The need for the workshop was precipitated by the realisation that in the course of transferring technologies and linking up various players within the marketing chain, conflicts usually arose between different players with respect to pricing, timelines of delivery, product quality and quantity delivery amongst others. In the past adhoc measures have been taken to resolve such conflicts. As the cassava project gathers momentum, with an increase in the number of players, coupled with the drive move the process from a technology development and dissemination stage to an industrial uptake stage, not only is there 11 need for trained or informed personnel to adequate mediate in times of conflict but also to have an objective system for conflict resolution that is more proactive rather than reactive. The principal objective of the workshop therefore was to introduce to researchers, dissemination personnel, private sector partners and other industrial concerns who are in one way or the other linked to the cassava project, the principles of conflict resolution and to facilitate the development of a conflict resolution system that specifically addresses the needs of the cassava project. The workshop, was conducted over a period of two days, and it involved lecture sessions, group work sessions, the development of a system of conflict resolution for the cassava project, and workshop evaluation. A total of fourteen participants drawn from four private sector organisations, five government institutions, attended the workshop. Mr. Emmanuel Bombande, Programme Director of the West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP) was the principal resource person for the workshop. He delivered all the lectures and facilitated the group work as well as initiating the development of the conflict resolution system for the cassava project. At the end of the workshop, participants individually assessed various aspects of the workshop on a 7-point scale ranging from extremely poor to excellent. General organisation of the workshop was scored 6.62 (very good to excellent), course content-6.75 (very good to excellent), course presentations-6.87 (very good to excellent) and group work sessions-6.0 (very good) conflict resolution system development approach-6.0 (very good). The final outcome of the workshop was that a draft conflict management system has been developed for the cassava project. The principal components of the system are as follows: the conflict management structure shall be either negotiation or mediation both of which are pro-active in nature; a three member conflict management team has been formed to implement the system; a code of ethics has been outlined as well as procedures for enhancing peace and operating principles instituted