The Ashanti Regional Security Council has dispatched security personnel to Agogo to flush-out nomadic Fulani settlers from the area, Wednesday, February 3.

This comes a day after an exchange of gunshots between a Fulani herdsman and a native of Agogo led to the death of one person at Abrewanko at Agogo.

David Attiah, 27 died on the spot but the 18-year old Fulani man sustained gunshot injuries in his left leg.

He is currently receiving treatment at the Okonfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, according to Joy News’ Erastus Asare Donkor.

Background

Residents of Agogo and its surrounding areas are said to be living in fear for years as the herdsmen have allegedly been terrorizing them.

They have rasied concerns about some crimes including murder and rape perpetuated by the herdsmen.

The cattle of the herdsmen have also been destroying farm crops of the residents.

Despite a court order in 2012 for the eviction of the Fulanis, they are still around.

There were times when women in Agogo and some other farming communities in the area hired male escorts in order for them to go to their farms, markets and other places.

An ‘Operation Cow Leg’, introduced by security forces in a renewed effort to curb the menace in January last year, has also not yielded results.

About a week ago, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang led a campaign at Agogo, dubbed "operation kill any cattle seen on farmlands."

The youth in the area said the action is a last resort as traditional leaders of the area had failed to solve the age-long ‘Fulani menace’.

In a press statement, the youth of the area have vowed to prevent chiefs from celebrating any festival until the Fulanis are evicted.

They also accused some chiefs of exploiting the issue to their advantage and urged all citizens of Agogo to disregard any announcement from the Agogo Traditional Council.

They warned citizens of Agogo not to render any kind of services such as selling of food items, transport services to the Fulanis and threatened to continue with the ‘peaceful public campaign until the last Fulani and their cattle leave their land.’

Police in the Ashanti region threatened to arrest the Member of Parliament for inciting the youth of the town to attack Fulani herdsmen.

This has for about a week now heightened tension and worsened security situation in the area.

Meanwhile the head of the Fulani Community in Ghana Sheikh Osman Barry has warned of dire security consequences if nomadic herdsmen are forcefully removed from the area.

He insists the best solution is for all stakeholders in the area to agree on a negotiated plan of action. 

“Problems are caused by human beings and addressed by human beings,” he told Joy News.

Erastus reports that the chief in the area are currently in a meeting with the residents at his palce.