Regional News of Monday, 21 February 2005

Source: GNA

DCE asked to locate Fulani headsmen

Bejamse (VR), Feb. 21, GNA - Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister had directed the Krachi-West District Chief Executive (DCE) to furnish the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) with the current location of Fulani Herdsmen in the district.

The DCE is also to monitor and report the future movements of the herdsmen, who are said to be mainly from Burkina Faso. Mr Kofi Dzamesi was responding to concerns by Nana Obrimpong Kanya II, Bejamsehene, when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief last Thursday at Bejamse.

Nana Kanya told the Minister, who was on a two-day duty tour of Krachi-East and Krachi-West districts that, the large herds of cattle destroying farm products while the herdsmen simply refuse to cooperate with the chiefs and people of the area.

He said the recent ethnic disturbances in neighbouring Kete-Krachi might embolden some recalcitrant elements in the Bejamse area to perpetrate acts that could lead to a breach of the peace.

Nana Kanya, therefore, called on troops stationed in the area to be alert and make efforts to know the terrain properly.

He also called on government to provide funds for fuel for the troops to facilitate regular, extensive and effective patrol of the area. Regarding development, he said most roads in the area had seen no maintenance since 1974, making the transportation of farm produce to marketing centres very difficult and expensive.

Nana Kanya said the situation of the roads made one to wonder, "if the area had been secluded from the rest of Ghana". 21 Feb. 05