Eastern Region tackles Fulani insecurity in four districts

The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has deployed a total of 110 security personnel to maintain peace between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities in four districts that are feeling insecure as a result of activities of the herdsmen.

The security personnel, made up of 104 men and six officers, were drawn from the Military, Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service.

They are embarking on what is termed: “Operation Cow Leg.”

The four districts in which the operation would cover include, Fanteakwa, Kwahu East, Afram Plains North and South.

At a brief ceremony to deploy the security personnel, Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere, the Eastern Regional Minister, told the security personnel that their main task is to maintain peaceful co-existence among the Fulani herdsmen and the farming communities.

He charged the security personnel to ensure that the herdsmen do not use their cattle to destroy farm lands, and in the process beat up, shoot community members and rape their women as well.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako urged the security personnel to exhibit high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their tasks in their respective areas to assure the farming communities of their safety.

He assured the security personnel of the full support of the REGSEC, to ensure that community members go about their daily activities without fear, intimidation and panic.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) James Abass Abaah, the Deputy Regional Police Commander, reminded the troops that, the success of the operation would depend on their level of discipline, integrity, morality, and how they conducted themselves in those areas.

He urged them to be each other’s keeper, and report bad nuts among them to the appropriate authorities, adding that, they should stand firm to avoid being influenced by any force.

Nana Agyei Danso, chief of Dwerebease, a farming community in the Kwahu East District which had suffered attacks from the Fulani herdsmen, appreciated the efforts of the REGSEC, and hoped “this particular operation should result in a long-lasting peace.”

He expressed worry that previous Operations had not been successful due to how troops mishandled certain cases between the Fulani herdsmen and the communities.

The Chief appealed to the security personnel to handle issues more professionally this time around, to maintain and protect the peace which they all seek.