Diaspora Students' Role and Strategies in Peacebuilding in the Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict

Previous research has elucidated the origins, consequences, characteristics, and impediments to the settlement of the Bawku chieftaincy dispute, in addition to the function of civil society organizations in promoting peace in the region. This study investigates the potential contributions and approaches that Bawku diaspora students may make to peacebuilding initiatives, with a focus on the interplay between governance structures, leadership agency, and diaspora engagement. A case study design and a qualitative approach were employed. Interviews were conducted with fourteen (14) Bawku diaspora students attending the University of Education, Winneba. The findings revealed that Bawku diaspora students leverage their human, social, and local capital to advocate for peace, refuse to fund violence, and foster inter-ethnic cohesion. However, the absence of institutionalized governance mechanisms to integrate diaspora efforts into formal peace processes limits their impact. The paper argues that effective leadership and inclusive governance frameworks are critical to harnessing diaspora potential for sustainable peace. We recommend structured partnerships between diaspora groups, traditional authorities, and state institutions to align grassroots peacebuilding with top-down governance strategies.