Halt activities of Fulani herdsmen - MPs appeal

Accra (Greater Accra), 7th July 99-

Parliament on Tuesday expressed concern about the negative activities of Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country, especially in the Northern and Brong-Ahafo regions.

Members said apart from the wanton destruction of crops, the activities of the herdsmen also lead to the degradation of the environment.

They were, therefore, of the consensus that if the current influx of alien Fulani herdsmen is not checked their activities will impact negatively on the economy.

Making a statement on the "Influx of Fulani Herdsmen in Sawla/Kalba" on the floor of the House, Mr Joseph Trumah Bayel, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sawla/Kalba, stated that the presence of the herdsmen in his constituency poses a threat to his constituents.

He said the crops of his constituents are being destroyed by the numerous cattle of the Fulanis, which they send to feed during the night when everybody is asleep.

"Before the farmer gets up in the morning and goes to his farm, he finds the farm completely destroyed by these animals. Since nobody can identify animals by their footprints, they normally get away leaving the poor farmer helpless and hapless."

Mr Bayel bemoaned the bad practices of these Fulani herdsmen and said, apart from destroying people's farms and degrading the environment, they also steal cattle belonging to the same farmers as they drive their animals along, have sex

in the bush, and threaten or beat up farmers who dare challenge that their crops have been destroyed.

He said these practices have impoverished most farmers in his constituency so much so that if immediate action is not taken to stem the tide, his constituency will soon be declared a disaster zone.

The MP pointed out that, as peace-loving people, Ghanaians cannot continue to accept all manner of persons who especially have destructive tendencies into their midst and, therefore, appealed to traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and

assemblymen to co-operate with all agencies concerned to flush out these alien herdsmen.

GRi?/