[01] Vincent Adzahlie-Mensah, Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. [02] Harrison Kwame Golo, Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. [03] Mary Gyamfuaa-Abrefa, Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.

This paper is a contribution to conflict prevention theory. The purpose of the paper is to document how to achieve success in conflict prevention in society. The paper argued that conflict prevention in society should be understood as a technical social process. Conflict prevention work requires the services of people with social competencies and technical expertise acting together with parties at the ‘right time’ to achieve success. First, it reviews existing understandings and approaches to conflict prevention. Second, it presents an organised systematic conflict prevention proposal, detailing the main elements that have to be considered in the process. Four elements: the issues, the actors, the context and timing, are highlighted as crucial in conflict prevention. The establishment of conflict prevention team with a mix of quality social, professional and technical profile is suggested as a first step. It is recommended that if conflict prevention is to be improved, there is the need to assign that responsibility to a standing conflict prevention team that will design processes for a better understanding of the sources of conflict, watch early warning signs; and be prepared to deal with the psychological, the substantive and procedural issues.

Conflict, Conflict Prevention, Conflict Prevention Team, Actors, Approaches

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