Authorities in Ho Municipality are responding to a serious incident near the Ghana-Togo border after a Fulani herdsman from Togo allegedly shot another herder in the Hodzo area. The confrontation occurred around the Tordze River, a vital water source for grazing cattle and a known hotspot for disputes among herders.
Following the report, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, Stephen Adom, led a team to the affected area to assess the situation directly. The visit aimed to gather accurate information, understand the root causes of the incident, and explore practical steps to prevent similar clashes in the future.
Mr. Adom highlighted the strategic importance of the Tordze River to herding activities, noting that the demand for access to water and pasture in the area has long created tensions. In response, he tasked security forces and local leaders with creating a detailed database of all Fulani herders living in the municipality. This initiative is expected to improve oversight and help foster peaceful engagement between communities.
To reduce competition over water, the MCE proposed the construction of a dam in the area, which he believes would offer a stable water supply for both herders and their livestock. He suggested that such an intervention could minimize the need for frequent cattle movements that often trigger disputes.
Plans are also in motion to convene a dialogue between traditional rulers, community representatives, and Fulani herdsmen. This meeting is expected to focus on ways to promote mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. Additionally, the MCE intends to initiate discussions with security officials in Togo, particularly because the suspected shooter is believed to have crossed the border from that country.
During the visit, the Assembly Member for the area, Alfred Adadzie, commended the swift response by municipal authorities. He expressed concern over the broader impact of such incidents, emphasizing that Hodzo and surrounding communities are heavily reliant on farming. Mr. Adadzie called for tighter control over herding activities and urged continuous dialogue to prevent future confrontations.
Meanwhile, several Fulani herdsmen who participated in the visit pledged to work with authorities and assist in identifying individuals who may be involved in criminal acts within their ranks.
The MCE’s team also visited the nearby community of Takla, where a woman had reportedly been assaulted by a Fulani herder. During the attack, her crops—including maize, groundnuts, and tomatoes—were reportedly destroyed, further heightening tensions in the area.
The MCE was accompanied by members of the Ho Municipal Assembly and senior representatives from the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), including officers from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service (Nyive Sector), Customs Division, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
