By Austin Ofori Addo
The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Security Ministry, has inaugurated a committee called the “Cattle Ranching Committee” to monitor and regulate the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the country.
Dr. Opong Ansah, the chairman for Ghana Cattle Ranching Project, who doubles as the Adviser to the Agriculture Minister in an interview with Rite FM Agric Forum program said, the committee is set to regulate the activities of the herdsmen especially when transporting their livestock from and to different countries.
He added that,” the launching of the project is to tap into the knowledge of the Fulani Herdsmen and adding value into livestock.”
According to Dr. Opong, Ghana has turn deaf ear to ECOWAS policies regarding cattle rearing and now the its time to apply the laws and regularities. The Committee has therefore been tasked to enforce both Ghana and ECOWAS legal structures to the maximum benefit of the West African sub region.
The decision was necessitated from the fact that Fulani herdsmen do operate without respecting the state regulations. “This has contributed to some of our security problems involving farmers and Fulani”, the deputy Minister said.
Ghana has arable and grass lands and it would be advantageous to use the grass land for the purpose. Dr. Opong said, under the project, certificate will be issued to cattle farmers and their herdsmen including the cattle base on their health status.
The chairman of the Committee, Dr. Oppong has assured Ghanaians, the committee will work hard towards promoting peace between farmers and Fulanis in Ghana.
Source:ritefmonline.org
