BNI probes Kintampo chief executive

(The Ghanaian Times) -- The Brong- Ahafo Regional Bureau of the National Investigations (BNI) is investigating a case in which the District Chief Executive (DCE), of Kintampo is accused of being involved in the influx of the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle into the district. The cattle are said to be destroying farmlands and food crops.

Mr J.K. Bomfeh, is alleged to have been influenced with about 37 cattle and cash of 400,000 CFA francs by the herdsmen, making it difficult for him to stamp his authority to drive them away. He was also said to have sought police escort for the herdsmen to protect their cattle from attacks from Banda in the Wenchi District to Kintampo.


The herdsmen and their cattle were driven away under a special military operation codenamed "Cowleg", last year, but they are said to have returned in their numbers and are engaged in destructive activities in the district and its environs. The allegations were leveled against the DCE by some members of the public during a recent public forum held at the Kintampo town Hall.


A BNI source, which confirmed the investigations, said that they were determined to delve into the matter as the government's avowed policy was to reduce, if not eradicate, corruption in the country. Mr Bomfeh was said to have, among other things, actually contracted two persons- Stephen Atta and his twin brother - to lead the cattle from Banda to the Kintampo District for a fee of ?500,000 and six cattle.

Reacting to the allegations at the 'Times' office, in Sunyani, the DCE denied ever being influenced with cattle or money. "These are all lies and a calculated attempt to tarnish my image." He stated that when the military personnel were called upon to flush out the cattle from the district, the herdsmen rather mentioned five people who were helping them to come back.


The DCE challenged whoever was involved in the allegations against him to point out which policemen were made to escort the cattle to the district stating that he had not contracted anybody in any deal.