The Chief of Ejura Traditional Area ,Barima Osei Hwedie II has declared Ejura municipality and its environs in the Ashanti Region as a no go zone for normadic herdsmen.
The decision, according to the chief was to prevent Ejura from loosing its title as the food basket of the entire Ashanti Region and also to protect the thousands of farmers who lose their farm produce to ruthless activities of these herdsmen at the same time.
The chief who has expressed grave concerns over the destructive tendencies by these herdsmen in Ejura communities, have barred normadic herdsmen from bringing their herds to graze in their domains.
This development follows an emergency meeting between the Ejura Traditional Council,the Ashanti North Regional Police Commander, the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Security Council, Assembly members, council of Zongo Chiefs and the leadership of Normadic herdsmen on Thursday December 1, 2022.
The traditional authority have also resolved that Fulani herdsmen already living in their communities would be directed to withdraw their herds from their lands with immediate effect.
Armed Robbery Attacks
The Asante Mampong Divisional Police Commander ACP David Kwaku Amoako disclosed at the meeting that, over 95 percent of armed robbery activities are committed by normadic herdsmen.
He noted that, their investigations about some five robbery cases which lead the the death five persons lead to the arrest of some normadic herdsmen who are in their custody assisting investigations.
He has therefore called on the public to volunteer any information about these herdsmen engaging in robbery activities in the area.
Ejurahene Warns Subchiefs
Barimah Osei Hwedie II at the meeting warned that anyone including chiefs found to be entertaining or allowing these herdsmen to live in their areas will be dealt with severely.
” I am once again sounding a serious caution to all who will be collecting money or goodies from the herdsmen with a view to allocating lands for them for grazing purposes would be arrested and made to face legal actions”.
“Some of my community members who are mainly farmers have lay bare their grievances including armed robbery, raping of the communities’ women, destruction of their farmlands amongst others being orchestrated by the herdsmen and i will not allow this to continue as long as i am your king”.He cautioned.
Regional Police Commander’s Assurance.
The newly appointed Ashanti North Regional Police Commander DCOP Ofosu Ackaah pledged his commitment to ending the menace of Normadic herdsmen in the area.
He noted that, the police force have been strengthened following the division of Ashanti region into three strong regions including the Ashanti South, Ashanti Central and the Ashanti North Regional Police Command where he heads.
DCOP Ackaah however warned that any individual who will engaged in any unlawful activities will be arrested and put before the law court.
