A group calling itself, Kwahu Youth for Social Development says many locals are losing confidence in the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon Eric Kwakye Darfour in resolving the Fulani menace claiming lives in the enclave.

The group says there is a growing unease among locals on the back of certain public comments made by the Minister regarding the situation of the nomadic Fulani herdsmen at Kwahu.

Communities of the Kwahu East District in the Eastern Region have turned into ghost towns following acts of violence involving some local people and Fulani herdsmen which has led to the death of nine people.

Reports say students and teachers have abandoned their schools, while some farmers have deserted the communities, in view of the clashes.

In a statement issued by the Group and signed by it’s President, Tettey Solomon said:” It is very heartbreaking to hear the comments being made by the Regional Minister who is the Chairman of the the Regional Security Council (RESEC) on various media platforms in dealing with the situation.”

“The Regional Minister has said on various media platforms that there are no laws in the country which tend to guide the rearing of cattle in this nation.”

According to the youth, the remarks by the Minister will tend to empower these Fulani herdsmen to gain notoriety “as they will become aware of the fact that the Nation doesn’t have what it takes in dealing with their criminal activities” urging the President to probe the Minister over his distasteful comments.

 

 

Below is the full statement by the Group

November 3, 2017

To all Media houses

Kwahu Youth for Social Development (KYSD)

WE ARE LOSING CONFIDENCE IN OUR REGIONAL MINISTER IN DEALING WITH THE CRIMINAL NOMADIC FULANI HERDSMEN AT KWAHU

The Kwahu Youth for Social Development has taken a serious exception to the position being taken by the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon Eric Kwakye Darfour in solving the situation of the nomadic Fulani herdsmen at Kwahu which is claiming several lives.

It is very heartbreaking to hear the comments being made by the Regional Minister who is the Chairman of the the Regional Security Council (RESEC) on various media platforms in dealing with the situation.

The Regional Minister has said on various media platforms that there are no laws in the country which tend to guide the rearing of cattle in this nation.

We find this comment very unfortunate especially at a time when every Ghanaian knows the laws of the country doesn’t permit one to use his/her property to destroy another’s.

If every Ghanaian is privy to the fact that one can’t leave his/her sheep or goat to destroy another person’s farm or property why can’t same apply to the rearing of cattle within the same jurisdiction?

Again, the Regional Minister has said on same media platforms that the Eastern Region lacks the Security expertise and setup in dealing with these Fulani herdsmen whose actions are usually criminal.

Are we not also rather empowering these Fulani herdsmen as they will become aware of the fact that the Nation doesn’t have what it takes in dealing with their criminal activities?

We don’t want to believe as a group that the Eastern Region should expect lawlessness in various forms for the days ahead as the perpetrators will go scot free per the assertion of the Minister.

We had thought it is a great privilege to have a native of Kwahu to be in charge of affairs in dealing with this situation that has been more than a nightmare to every individual coming from the area.

As we speak, there are some of the affected communities which are ghost towns, various schools have shutdown, indigens not being able to go their farms and all sort of developmental activities are at a halt which must be a serious concern to the ordinary Ghanaian let alone a Regional Minister.

We call on the President to take these comments by the Member of Parliament and Eastern Regional Minister with the seriousness they deserve for investigations.

Notwithstanding, we wish to commend the Member of Parliament of Kwahu East and Minister of State in charge of National Security, Hon Bryan Acheampong for the positive assurances he is giving to the good people of Kwahuman that these criminal Fulani Herdsmen would be driven out of the area in no time.

We still have hope that the Government of Ghana has everything it takes to handle these Fulani herdsmen if it has been able to handle illegal mining to some extent.

The Kwahu Youth for Social Development assures the good people of Kwahuman to remain calm as we believe the situation will be dealt with the necessary attention it deserves by the Government of Ghana.

Long Live Kwahu Youth for Social Development (KYSD).

Long Live Kwahuman.

Long Live Ghana

 

Signed
Tettey Solomon
(President)
0240193440 / 0272442527