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Regional News of Thursday, 10 May 2012

Source: xfm 95.1/ accra/ ghana

Minister assures Kwahu residents of safety after Fulani Killings

Victor Smith, Eastern Regional Minister is urging residents from Kwahu who have fled their villages due to attacks by some Fulani herdsmen to return.

He has also guaranteed the safety of the residents as calm returns to the troubled spots.

Farmers in some 12 communities in the Kwahu East District in the Eastern Region are living in constant fear of attacks by gun-wielding Fulani herdsmen in the area.

Speaking on an Accra based radio, Joy fM, Victor Smith said a team of security personnel have been dispatched to parts of the Kwahu South and East Districts to ensure the residents are protected.

³We still have a taskforce of a combined team of police and military ensuring that genuine calm returns before we withdraw the taskforce,² he said.

Farmers from Abuam, Abene, Nkodua, Babua, Hweehwee, Dwerebease, Atta ne Atta, Yawtenkorang, Mpaem, Birifa Oyemsu and Atta Rekan had, on some occasions, fled their villages to seek protection in neighbouring villages due to Fulani attacks. Report is that farmers killed in the area this year include 78-year-old Kofi Hotovi and his 19-year-old son, Abraham Sogu, who were allegedly shot dead in their home at Nkodua by two Fulanis herdsmen while preparing their supper about 7 p.m. on April 27, 2012. George Kwame Sasu, 38, another farmer, went to his farm to harvest plantain in March 2012 but failed to return after three days, while another farmer, identified only as Abudua, 55, was murdered on his farm, allegedly by a Fulani herdsman.