Nkoranza to drive out Fulani herdsmen

Nkoranza (B/A), Feb. 1, GNA - The Nkoranza North District Assembly has set up a 15-member taskforce to ensure the evacuation of more than 3,000 cattle and 30 Fulani herdsmen and their families from Dinkra, a farming community in the area.

The force comprises personnel of the police, military, fire service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). The activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the community have created problems in the area as the animals are not controlled by the herdsmen and thus destroy food crops and farmlands. Mr Benson Boadum Acheampong, District Coordinator of NADMO, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency at Nkoranza, said the District Security Council had received complaints about the herdsmen who engaged in chaotic confrontations with the settler farmers. Mr Acheampong said the timely intervention of the Assembly's taskforce had averted serious clashes between the farmers and the herdsmen as the animals had destroyed food crops and other properties. He said the complaints from the farmers revealed that the herdsmen caused bushfires ostensibly to prepare green grass and leaves for their animals to graze on during the dry season. Mr Acheampong said reports indicated some of the herdsmen had also settled in some other areas in the District besides Dinkra. "The taskforce will carry out the necessary investigations and drive out the cattle and their owners from the areas to maintain peace and order in the communities", he added. About 12 years ago, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Security Council mounted an intensive operation codenamed "Operation Cow Leg" during which a number of Fulani herdsmen were driven away from the Region.