Assemblies, Chiefs, Fulani herdsmen to establish cattle ranches

Asakraka (ER), June 6, GNA- The Kwahu South and East District Assemblies, in collaboration with Fulani herdsmen and chiefs in the two districts, would establish cattle ranches to confine cattle belonging to the herdsmen to prevent the destruction of crops by the animals. Nana Onwona Asante, Kwahu South District Chief Executive, said this when some farmers wanted to know government's efforts at stopping the destructive activities of the Fulani cattle in the area, at this year's people's assembly jointly organised by the two assemblies at Asakraka. The farmers complained that the cattle had destroyed large hectares of maize, yam, cassava, and vegetables, while the herdsmen also set fire to bush for greener pasture during the dry season resulting in the destruction of the vegetation.

Nana Asante said the assembly would register all herdsmen and their cattle and ensure that the animals were confined ranches, which some chiefs had promised to release land for their establishment. He said the assembly, the European Union, the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Fund and the Community-based Rural Development Project, had constructed a number of classroom blocks, teachers' quarters, boreholes, places of convenience and roads to improve the living standards of the people in the two districts. Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister, said the government had put up pragmatic measures such as the creation of more districts, the introduction of the Capitation Grant, and School Feeding Programme to enhance the socio-economic development of the people. He said most of the roads in the area would be rehabilitated before the end of the year to facilitate the movement of goods and services. The Chief of Kwahu Tafo, Nana Ameyaw Gyensiamah III, commended government for introducing the people's assembly concept that enabled people at the grassroots to ask questions about developments in their area.