The Ghana Institute of Surveyors is advocating for nomadic Fulani herdsmen to be given their own land as a solution to tensions between them and and local farmers.
The activities of Fulani herdsmen have led to clashes between them and some local communities, where they operate, leading to the loss of lives and destruction of property.
Speaking at the 11th Surveyors week and 47th annual General meeting, the President of the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, Ekow Budu-Anugah, suggested that herdsmen must be given a separate land in the areas they operate.
“We are saying that the Fulani issue is worrying to Ghanaians and that we don’t have to lose the crops that they need, and we don’t have to lose the meat that they bring, so we don’t have to kill the cows or hurt them. We should find an amicable solution to this problem. That is why we are saying that, they must try to give them land for grazing and land for farming,” he added.
Mr. Budu-Anugah also recommended that the Districts consider registering the Fulani herdsmen to better regulate their activities.
The suggestion by the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, is similar to a proposal by the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Hannah Bissiw.
Dr. Hannah Bissiw, a veterinary doctor, has already proposed the establishment of a permanent cattle ranch as the solution to the problem.
The Deputy Minister’s comments are also in line with that of Security analyst, Dr. Kwesi Anning, pointed out that in 1986, Ghana was a member of an ECOWAS team which agreed that there should be regulations on trans-human movement that characterizes the Fulani nomadic lifestyle.
The Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers also proposed the enactment of specific bye-laws to regulate the activities of Fulani herdsmen, which will by extension address various conflicts between them and locals around the country.
