We can’t move our cattle from Agogo – Cattle Owners Association

The leader of Cattle Owners Association of Ghana, Dr Edward Asadu has said they’re unable to move cattle from Asante Akyem Agogo in the Ashanti Region as ordered by the Kumasi High Court in 2012.

On January 20, 2012, the Kumasi High Court ordered the REGSEC to “take immediate, decisive, efficacious and efficient action to flush out all cattle in the following villages and localities in the Agogo Traditional Area.”

The villages are Abrewapong, Mankala, Nyamebekyere, Koweriso, Adoniem, Bebuso and Brahabebome.

Speaking to host Akwasi Nsiah on Si Mi So, Dr Edward Asadu indicated that, currently there are over 45,000 cattle in Agogo thus will be difficult to move them out and is wondering where they can send them to.

According to him, if the government allows the court ruling to stand it means it is collapsing cattle rearing industry in the country.

He added that it is wrong for one to own about 4,000 cattle in Asante Akyem Agogo without having land for them to feed on thus government should hurry in preparing the ranching bill.

Dr. Asadu furthered that, the issue of cattle rearing has been a difficult one in the country; “the issue of cattle rearing has been a difficult one in the country but cattle owners have nowhere to send their cattle for grazing and that is the major cause of this misunderstanding between Fulani herdsmen and crop farmers.”

He added that the shooting and killing of cattle’s will not solve the problem, however the government especially the Agric ministry should apportion some lands particularly for cattle rearing and that would solve the problem at hand especially with the Fulani herdsmen.

He continued that, the Agric ministry must hold a dialogue with cattle owners in Ghana and come to an agreement.

Meanwhile the Deputy Agric Minister and Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko, disclosed on the same show that, government has not stopped or prevented anyone from rearing cattle however, government is saying cattle owner should rear cattle 500 meters away from farm lands.

Hon. Nyarko added that, parliament is preparing to pass the RANCHING BILL into law, so that cattle owners will be guided by that bill.

He added that when the law is passed, cattle owners will not be able to rear cattle 500 meters close to farm lands and houses, this he said will prevent all these killings and shooting between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ghana.