Nkoranza (B/A) May 8, GNA - A large herd of stray cattle are disturbing the peace of the people of Asuosu and Mpem, as the animals have continued to destroy their farms. The about 300 cattle are not kept in kraals and therefore move about freely and destroy any farm they chanced to meet.

Mr. Peter Baafoe-Bediako, Assembly Member for Asuosu, Mpem, Nyinase, Kwafre and Jerusalem Electoral Areas told Ghana News Agency at Nkoranza that attempts by the people to stop the Fulani herdsmen from settling in the area have proved futile.

He said the people are filled with fury over the presence of the herdsmen and their animals and have decided to adopt measures to drive them away from their areas.

The Assembly Member, the traditional authorities as well as the custodians of the Land could not say how the herdsmen and their cattle came to settle in the area.

About five years ago, a similar influx of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle at Dromankese in the district and the destruction of the people's farms led to clashes between the herdsmen and the inhabitants and farmers. It took a combined force of soldiers and other security officials in a special operation codenamed, "Operation Cow Leg" to flush them out from the area.

Mr. Baffoe-Bediako urged the Nkoranza District Assembly to take steps to remove the herdsmen and their cattle to avoid any unpleasant event.

He challenged officials of the Nkoranza District Environmental Health Division to monitor the activities of livestock keepers to ensure that domestic animals did not stray in the communities. Livestock owners and Fulani cattle herdsmen who would allow their animals to stray should be arrested and severely punished or prosecuted in court. May 08 05