Regional Minister, Nananom and some Community Members
Government has vowed to take steps to address the long-standing conflict between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers in the Asante Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region.
Simon Osei Mensah, the regional minister, who disclosed this, said the violence in the district was a national issue.
Speaking at a meeting at Asante Akyem Agogo yesterday, the Minister stated that the Regional Security Council (RESEC) had resolved to implement the 2012 court ruling to address the conflict between the farmers and herdsmen in the district.
The local farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the Asante Akyem North District have clashed continuous for many years due to the numerous problems.
Some people have been maimed and killed, while women have allegedly been raped on farms by the herdsmen who mostly wield weapons.
Four security personnel, including three military officers and a police officer, who had been deployed to the area to maintain peace, were allegedly shot by the Fulani herdsmen.
Mr Osei Mensah said years of cruelty in the area by Fulani herdsmen ought to end and that the herdsmen and their cattle must leave Agogo and its surrounding communities in order for peace to prevail.
According to him, REGSEC had begun the process to review the previous roadmap initiated by his predecessor and implement it.
“We are going to beef up security to enable the people go about their duties and undertake their farming activities. We will make sure their safety is guaranteed. The taskforce will do its work within the law,” he posited.
The Regional Minister commented: “I don’t think we can tolerate any impunity and resistance – where we have people shooting at the security services. We are going to do everything possible within the law to protect the people, and this is the assurance I am giving to the people.”
“This is the period to clear the farmlands.
“If it delays and the farmers are unable to clear the land, it will affect farming activities which will result in food shortages in the district. Personal incomes of the people will be affected.”
The Regional Police Commander, COP Ken Yeboah also assured the people of adequate security, intimating that the taskforce would not be discouraged by the recent vicious attack on its members.
He called on the public to volunteer information to assist the security agencies to do their work effectively.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Agogo