Berekum farmers at Kotaa and Oforikrom are happy as Omanhene ban activities of fulani herdsmen.

OMANHENE OF BEREKUM BANS CHIEFS FROM CATTLE OFFLOADING CONTRACT IN BEREKUM TRADITIONAL AREA AS FARMERS ARE HAPPY.

The Omanhene of Berekum Traditional Area in the Berekum East Municipality of the Bono Region, Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II has cautioned his sub-chiefs on involvement in contracting Fulani herdsmen to offload cattle in Berekum forests.

The Omanhene held a stakeholders meeting with representatives from Forestry Commission, Ghana Police Service, Form Ghana, Butchers Association and Chief Executives of both Berekum East and West Assembly to deliberate on how the rearing of cattle in the Kotaa and Oforikrom forests can be curbed.   

Daasebre disclosed that forests in Berekum especially Kotaa Forest (Tain 2), Oforikrom, Abesaasi amongst others are being destroyed by the activities of the fulani herdsmen in the area hence, his plan to put a stop to it beginning with a stakeholders meeting.

He adding that henceforth, fulani herdsmen will not be allowed to operate in the Berekum forest zones unless ranches are built for the cattle from moving haphazardly. 

He emphasised that, any fulani herdsman caught within the forest zone will have to proof with documented permit. 

He cautioned his chiefs to desist from engaging the fulani herdsmen in rearing their cattle in any of the forest.

Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II, again urged the security operatives to monitor the activities of the fulani herdsmen in Berekum on entering the forest. 

The Sunyani District Forestry Manager, Mr Francis Brobbey added that protecting the forests is a collective effort so all stakeholders must come board to support the move to protect the forests. He said the government has employed people to plant new trees in the forest but the trees could not survive because of the activities of the herdsmen. He also lied to bare the cry of farmers in the affected areas as the cattle repeatedly destroys their farms. 

He pledged his commitment to help curb the situation with the support from the traditional authorities. 

Berekum East Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Kofi Adjei also expressed their preparedness to support the fight with the help of the police and military to stop the fulani herdsmen in the forests and also ensure ranches are built to keep the cattle.

Hon. Isaac Osei, the DCE of Berekum West District, both Berekum Divisional Police Commander and the District Commander Superintendent Richard Appiah and DSP Andrews Kofi Okonenegye amongst others were all present in the meeting. 

Story by Opamago Paparichy, Berekum