Citizens of Agogo in USA petition Mahama over Fulani impasse

Citizens of Agogo and its environs residing in Washington DC metro of the United States of America have called on President John Mahama and all relevant authorities of Ghana to enforce a court order to evict Fulani herdsmen from their traditional lands.

Scores of the citizens presented a petition on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, to Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC to be forwarded to the President after embarking on a peaceful demonstration to bring attention to what they term “undue delays” in restoring normalcy to the Agogo traditional area.

They want the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to fully enforce an order from a Kumasi High Court to evict the herdsmen from the area without further delay. This, they said would “prevent the killings, rape cases, destruction of crops and water bodies.”

The petitioner's led by Nana Bonti Marfo, Adontenhene of Agogo, Mr J.K. Preko, President of Agogo Citizens Association of the Washington D.C Metro Area and other executives also want law enforcement agencies to prosecute anyone fomenting trouble in the area irrespective of their social or political status. “Every credible allegation must be investigated in the interest of peace”.

They described as “unfair” a situation in which Mr Yaw Obeng, a native of the town was sentenced to death for killing a herdsman who attacked him on his farm whereas several Fulani herdsmen who have committed atrocities are walking free.

“There is the need for closer co-operation between the Government, Agogo Traditional Council and individual land owners based on a shared vision to develop the Agogo into a modern township”, the petition stated.

The petitioners wished the country well in the upcoming elections.

Tensions have soared in the Agogo area for the past couple of years due to the activities of the nomadic Fulani herdsmen who have repeatedly clashed with the townsmen, some with deadly consequences