Farmers protest destruction of crops

Farmers in Bumbula in the Biakoye District of the Oti Region have registered their protest at the manner in which their farms are being destroyed perennially by the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle. 

Clad in red amidst singing of traditional songs, they protested against the invasion of their farms by about 1,000 cattle that has resulted in the destruction of vast acres of food crops, which has brought their livelihood into jeopardy.

The Bumbula market, which is the second most thriving market in the Biakoye District after the Abotoase market, has been seriously affected since the foodstuffs to be sold are being destroyed by the cattle.

The area is inundated by the Volta Lake and its tributaries, producing various vegetables and crops such as yams, plantains, maize and cassava. 

Past 10 years

Speaking to the Daily Graphic last Tuesday, the Divisional Chief of the Nkonya-Wurupong Traditional Area, Nana Kwabena Osei Brakatu I, said the situation had persisted for 10 years.

He said all their cries to the Biakoye District Assembly and security agencies had proven futile. As such, Nana Osei Brakatu said the people were getting frustrated, and they were on the verge of taking up arms to protect their farms if nothing was done to halt the incessant destruction by the cattle.

The Assembly Member of the Bumbula Electoral Area, Justice Gomah Agbedumasi, appealed for access roads to lessen the tedium they faced in transporting their crops to the market centres.

When contacted, the Biakoye District Chief Executive, Eric Oppong, said it has always been the decision of the assembly to check such a menace through community engagements.

However, he said, after communicating the message to the Fulani herdsmen, they left the area, but some of them had returned on the blind side of the assembly.

Mr Oppong expressed his satisfaction that the people could not afford to remain unconcerned about what was happening and had driven them away.