Buffalo attacks two farmers

Ananangya (Ash), May 6, GNA - A buffalo, which attacked two farmers on their farms wounding them in the thighs at Ananangya village near Kumawu, in the Sekyere East District, was killed by one of the farmers.

The beast attacked and wounded Mr Paul Mensah, 39 and Mr Owusu Kokor, 33, both tomato farmers, while they were working on their farms last week. Narrating their ordeal to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Mensah said while he was on his farm, his daughter informed him about the presence of a wild animal suspected to be a bush pig, which she had spotted. He said he, therefore, obtained a gun and two rounds of ammunition to track down the animal.

Mr Mensah said he spotted the animal, which was hiding in a thicket and when it came out into the open it turned out to be a buffalo charging towards him. He said he tried to climb a tree but was impeded by the loaded gun he was carrying and so the buffalo gored him in the thigh and threw him on the ground as a result of which he lost three teeth. He said his gun went off in the process and this scared off the beast, which then turned away and charged on Kokor who was also working on his farm nearby.

The buffalo also gored Kokor in the left thigh but he managed to get hold of one of its horns and held on to it tightly, Mr Mensah said. Mr Mensah said the buffalo then pinned Kokor to the ground while he shouted for help. He said he managed to pick up his gun loaded it and went to the rescue of Kokor, who was then struggling with the beast andshot it at close range killing it instantly. He said he rushed Kokor, who had deep cuts on the head and a torn nose, to the Kumawu Health Centre from where he was transferred to the Effiduase District Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Kumawu Traditional Council and well wishers have presented one million cedis to the two victims for their bravery. Barima Asumadu Sakyi, Kumawuhene and president of the traditional council, presented the money to the victims during the 'Akwasidae' festival last week Sunday, and praised the two farmers for their gallantry. He asked them to use the money to settle part of their hospital bills.