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12.04.2016 General News

Agogo Crisis: Over 1000 Cattle Driven Out; Gov’t Shows Commitment

12.04.2016 LISTEN
By Daily Guide

The Ashanti regional Minister, Alexander Ackon, has said government is committed to resolving the issue of nomadic herdsmen in the Agogo area.

He said as part of government efforts, over 1000 cattle have been driven out of the area in compliance with the court order, which demands the issue to be solved in phases.

Youths of Agogo hit the street on Tuesday, April 12 demonstrating in protest to what they described as government leaving them to their fate in resolving the nomadic herdsmen issue.

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demonstrators
They complained that the security officials detailed to protect them have been insensitive to their plights explaining that when nomadic herdsmen attack residents they walk away without an arrest.

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petition of residents
However, speaking on Joy FM's Top Story news program, Mr. Ackon said there has also been the movement of cattle out of Afram Plains adding the issue is being addressed in the whole country.

Mr. Ackon added that when the herdsmen were driven out of Agogo, some of them ended up settling in some parts of the Eastern region, which pose another issue.

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Suggesting ways to addressing the issue, Mr. Ackon said: “We need to try and cooperate with the Eastern region to address the problem”.

Commenting on the demonstration, Mr. Ackon said they have the right to demonstrate explaining he has discovered residents of the area have not been properly informed about what government has done so far.

He said he will hold a meeting with residents where he will brief them on the issue and why they have to cooperate with government effort to solve the problem.

Speaking for residents of the area, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashanti Akyem North, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang described government's effort at solving the issue as laughable.

According to him, government spends ȼ90,000 every month on security personnel who are stationed in the area to protect residents.

He said the security officials only check on activities of nomadic herdsmen in the bush and come to the town to rest.

Mr. Agyemang described the attitude of security personnel in the area as being sent by government to “massage” the issue stressing that residents are being maimed and murdered without any action.

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Some displayed pictures of dead residents
Responding to the question on what residents intends to do after the demonstration; Mr. Agyemang said the concerns of the people have been detailed in a petition, which has been sent to the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the regional minister.

He called on government to address the issue of residents in the same manner it handled the case involving the three South African ex-cops.

-myjoyonline

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