The Eastern Regional Security Council and the Ghana Armed Forces have resolved to establish a permanent Forward Operation Base in Maame Krobo following incessant robberies and clashes between the residents and nomadic herdsmen.
The base when established will help deal with the menace in the Afram Plains North and South Districts of the Eastern Region.
The establishment of the military base follows a series of threats and protests by chiefs and people within the Afram area, following threats of taking the law into their own hands if the government fails to deal with security concerns in the area.
Subsequently, Okwahumanhene Daasebere Akuamoah Agyapong, Abetifihene Akyeamfour Aseidu together with the traditional council donated a 50 acre land for the construction of the military base at Maame Krobo and a temporary accommodation facility for immediate habitation by personnel who will be posted to man the base.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong spoke to the media about the project.
“The animal rearing is an economic activity. The farmers are also into economic activity, so we should not deprive the people who are engaged in it of what they are doing. They need to enjoy out of their toil and sweat, and so at the end of the day, all we require is for us to live independently and grow the community progressively. That is the reason why we are trying to engage and set up this Forward Base here, so if there is any misunderstanding, they will step in to help us forestall it.”
Over the years, herdsmen and peasant farmers in the country have clashed, leading to injuries, deaths and destruction of property.
In 2020, a policy document aimed at ending the recurring feud between nomadic herdsmen and peasant farmers was presented to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for implementation.
Two farmer associations –Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers and the Peasant Farmers Association who made the presentation said the document states clearly what must be done to end the clashes.
In the past, tensions have escalated in areas such forcing the deployment of security personnel to handle the situation.
Hundreds of cattle have also been killed, while some of the herders and their cattle evicted from the area.
Other incidents occurred at Dwerebeafe, Aboyan and Mpeamu in the Kwahu East District between nomadic herdsmen believed to be of Fulani extraction and some farmers, reportedly led to the death of people.
