Kwahu leaders provide 6-point solution to Fulani conflicts

A Steering Committee tasked by the Kwahu Chief to find solutions to the violent clashes between indigenes and Fulani cattle herders has reiterated its commitment to end the menace.

Some five Fulani herdsmen and three locals in Dwibease and Wheewhee communities in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region died following clashes last week. Scores of residents fled the area to nearby villages.

In a press statement on Tuesday, 31 October, the Committee conveyed the displeasure of Kwahu Hene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, traditional leaders and the people of Kwahu Traditional Area about the menace and reiterated a six-point solution to the problem.

Below is the statement:

Halt the violence and killings in Kwahu land

The Kwahu Hene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, traditional leaders and the people of Kwahu Traditional Area strongly condemn the act of violence and killings being perpetrated against citizens and settlers of Kwahu in relation to cattle rearing and crop farming.

We are saddened by the turn of events especially at a time when we have just started rolling out a comprehensive peace plan that will bring this unfortunate situation to an end. Our condolences to the bereaved families of the latest victims of this needless clash.

Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, upon ascension to the Esono Gyima Mampong Agyei Stool as the Paramount Chief of Kwahu Traditional Area, established a Steering Committee to manage and control the rearing of cattle in the Kwahu area following the perennial conflicts between cattle herders and crop farmers which has claimed many lives over the years.

The Resolutions so far arrived at are:

1. The Project is called Kwahu Cattle Ranching Control Program.

2. All Cattle owners in Kwahu are expected to register. The registration has started in earnest and it is expected to end by 31st October 2017. However, following petitions by various stakeholders, the registration period has been extended to Saturday 4th November 2017.

3. Any cattle ranch that is not registered after the expiration of the period must be taken out of Kwahu land by the owner before the taskforce starts “operation”.

4. All Cattle ranches located in the Kwahu East areas between Abene through Hweehwee and Dwerebease to Onyimso and between Abene through Hweehwee to Simpoa must be evacuated and sent to the established Fodder Banks at Wawase and Forifori in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District and Mem Fremkye and Amankwa in Kwahu Afram Plains North District by the end of this week.

5. All Cattle owners who have their cattle in the above areas and decide to violate the orders shall lose their cattle after the expiration of the stated period.

6. All Cattle owners must note that whoever violates the orders and rules that will be spelt out for the management and control of the sub-sector shall be severely dealt with in accordance with established laws and regulations.

We entreat both crop and animal farmers as well as the general public to be circumspect and help expose criminal elements who may be exploiting the situation to their advantage by reporting them to the appropriate authorities. We also urge the security agencies to provide adequate protection for everybody without discrimination. Let us all be measured in our utterances.

The committee is ready to help government in ensuring that this perennial attacks does not become an annual ritual and prepared to provide policy alternatives to ensure that, we become food sufficient.

The Kwahu Cattle Ranching Control Program which is being supported by Kwahu Traditional Council, the Media, the 5 MMDCEs of Kwahu, the MPs, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) and the Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers (GNACAF), was set up to manage and control the rearing of cattle in the Kwahu area and ensure that peace is sustained throughout the year.

Signed by:

Mr. Zainu Bawa

For Lt Col (Rtd) George Addo

(Chairman of the Steering Committee)