Fulani Herdsmen Given Ultimatum - To Leave Agogo

The National Security has given Fulani herdsmen operating in the Agogo area of the Ashanti Region 14 days beginning October 24, 2011, to leave with their cattle or face forced eviction.

The decision was taken to restore peace in the area, following various acts of lawlessness allegedly perpetrated by the herdsmen.

Mr Thomas Osei-Bonsu, Asante Akim North Municipal Chief Executive, who confirmed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic, emphasised that for once “we hope to address this problem in the interest of all the parties”.

He said that Agogo needed peace to facilitate development.

Consequently, the government would ensure that decisions taken on the herdsmen were in the best interest of peace and development.

There has been growing tension in Agogo as a result of the activities of the herdsmen.

Residents of Agogo have accused the herdsmen of rape, murder and destruction of their farms.

Against that backdrop, the youth made several appeals to the government and sometimes backed them with demonstrations to help drive the herdsmen and their cattle away failure of which they would do everything possible to protect themselves.

About a month ago, the residents took their threats to another level when they imposed a ban on all funerals in the town until the herdsmen were ejected.

It was one ultimatum which prevented even the Omanhene of the area, Nana Akuoko Sarpong, from organising the funeral of his late uncle.

It was in the midst of this rising tension and outrage over the lawlessness of the herdsmen that the National Security decided to step in.

Mr Osei-Bonsu called for calm in the area whilst the authorities took up the matter in line with the laws of the land.

When contacted on telephone, the Omanhene, Nana Akuoko Sarpong, confirmed that the order for the herdsmen to leave had been made.