Urban council rejects Omanhene's proposal

Agogo (Ash), Aug. 03, GNA - A cross section of the people of Agogo and the Agogo Urban Council in the Asante-Akim North district have vehemently expressed their displeasure about the Agogohene, Nana Akuoko Sarpong's proposal to allocate lands to Fulani herdsmen in the Afram Plains area of the district.

According to them, the herdsmen have terrorised residents in the area for far too long hence the Omanhene's decision to accommodate them, is unacceptable.

Expressing their disapproval at a press briefing at Agogo on Wednesday, some residents took turns to narrate the ordeal they had gone through at the hands of the herdsmen, thereby intensifying calls for the Agogohene to rescind his decision.

A statement issued and signed by the chairman of the Agogo Urban Council, Mr Pese Danquah, called for an unconditional withdrawal of all permits granted to the herdsmen.

It further urged the Regional Security Council to as a matter of urgency disarm the herdsmen of sophisticated arms and other deadly weapons.

The statement, which also accused the Gyasehene of Agogo, Nana Agyei Frimpong and the Agogo Traditional Council for spearheading the influx of the Fulani herdsmen to the area, also advocated the setting up of a committee to investigate the influx of the herdsmen. According to the statement, 20 people have so far lost their lives through attacks by the herdsmen leaving the people in fear and anxiety over the years hence their departure is what the people are yearning for.

However, Nana Akuoko Sarpong, when contacted told the Ghana News Agency that his proposal was the best solution to the perennial problem as the herdsmen would be restricted not to go beyond their earmarked territories.

He said by providing the herdsmen land to operate in ranches with specific instructions to remain within their confines, would ensure the peace which had eluded the people over years.

The Agogohene noted that for 20 years the use of forceful and aggressive means to address the situation failed to yield results, hence there was the need to explore other amicable ways of finding a lasting solution to the problem.