Fulani violence: We’re losing confidence in Mininster – Group

A group calling itself the Kwahu Youth for Social Development (KYSD) has criticised Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour, for certain comments they feel will embolden nomadic Fulani herdsmen to continue the destruction of property and violence against indigenes of Kwahu.

They are therefore calling on government to intervene within the shortest possible time to ensure that the activities of the herdsmen, which has resulted in fear and inability of some farmers to visit their farms, is brought to a halt.

In a press statement signed by KYSD President, Tettey Solomon, the group indicated that the Minister had said that: “There are no laws in the country which tend to guide the rearing of cattle in this nation.”

For them, this is “very unfortunate, especially at a time when every Ghanaian knows the laws of the country don’t permit one to use his/her property to destroy another's”.

“If every Ghanaian is privy to the fact that one can't leave his/her sheep or goat to destroy another person's farm or property, why can't same apply to the rearing of cattle within the same jurisdiction?” they questioned. Additionally, they accused the Minister of commenting on certain media platforms indicating that: “The Eastern Region lacks the security expertise and setup in dealing with these Fulani herdsmen whose actions are usually criminal.”

They wonder whether “we are not also rather empowering these Fulani herdsmen as they will become aware of the fact that the nation doesn't have what it takes in dealing with their criminal activities”.

For them, the situation demands intervention beyond the Minister and was time government implemented solutions to solve the crisis before it escalates.

Below is the full statement by the group:

For Immediate release

November 3, 2017

To all Media houses

Kwahu Youth for Social Development (KYSD)

WE ARE LOSING CONFIDENCE IN OUR REGIONAL MINISTER IN DEALING WITH THE CRIMINAL NOMADIC FULANI HERDSMEN AT KWAHU

The Kwahu Youth for Social Development has taken a serious exception to the position being taken by the Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour in solving the situation of the nomadic Fulani herdsmen at Kwahu which is claiming several lives.

It is very heartbreaking to hear the comments being made by the Regional Minister who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on various media platforms in dealing with the situation.

The Regional Minister has said on various media platforms that there are no laws in the country which tend to guide the rearing of cattle in this nation.

We find this comment very unfortunate especially at a time when every Ghanaian knows the laws of the country doesn't permit one to use his/her property to destroy another's.

If every Ghanaian is privy to the fact that one can't leave his/her sheep or goat to destroy another person's farm or property why can't same apply to the rearing of cattle within the same jurisdiction?

Again, the Regional Minister has said on same media platforms that the Eastern Region lacks the Security expertise and setup in dealing with these Fulani herdsmen whose actions are usually criminal.

Are we not also rather empowering these Fulani herdsmen as they will become aware of the fact that the Nation doesn't have what it takes in dealing with their criminal activities?

We don't want to believe as a group that the Eastern Region should expect lawlessness in various forms for the days ahead as the perpetrators will go scot free per the assertion of the Minister.

We had thought it is a great privilege to have a native of Kwahu to be in charge of affairs in dealing with this situation that has been more than a nightmare to every individual coming from the area.

As we speak, there are some of the affected communities which are ghost towns, various schools have shutdown, indigenes not being able to go their farms and all sort of developmental activities are at a halt which must be a serious concern to the ordinary Ghanaian let alone a Regional Minister.

We call on the President to take these comments by the Member of Parliament and Eastern Regional Minister with the seriousness they deserve for investigations.

Notwithstanding, we wish to commend the Member of Parliament of Kwahu East and Minister of State in charge of National Security, Hon Bryan Acheampong for the positive assurances he is giving to the good people of Kwahuman that these criminal Fulani Herdsmen would be driven out of the area in no time.

We still have hope that the Government of Ghana has everything it takes to handle these Fulani herdsmen if it has been able to handle illegal mining to some extent.

The Kwahu Youth for Social Development assures the good people of Kwahuman to remain calm as we believe the situation will be dealt with the necessary attention it deserves by the Government of Ghana.

Long Live Kwahu Youth for Social Development (KYSD).

Long Live Kwahuman.

Long Live Ghana