Regional News of Friday, 18 July 2003

Source: GNA

Government asked to flush out Fulani herdsmen

Begoro (E/R), July 18, GNA - Students of Begoro Presbyterian Secondary School in the Fanteakwa District have expressed concern about the activities of alien Fulani herdsmen in the district and appealed to the government to flush them out of the area. They said apart from the destruction of crops and the environment, the herdsmen threatened farmers and committed atrocities including rape.

The students said these at an education programme on bushfire prevention organised by the Forestry Commission. They said:' We appeal to the government, as a matter of urgency, to drive them away and deal with chiefs who harbour them.'' The Forestry Services Division of the Forestry Commission in the Fanteakwa District has already embarked on a programme to form wildfire clubs in second cycle schools in the district to protect the environment from degradation.

The Assistant Forestry Manager of Fanteakwa, Mr Franklin Nii Abbey, said members of the club would be taken through programmes that would equip them with skills to enable them educate the public on the need to protect and preserve the environment. Mr Abbey asked the students to educate their parents and farmers on the need to abide by rules and practices on bush fire control and prevention.