The Chief of Kwahu Tafo, Nana Kwasi Opoku Mintah II has declared his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the welfare of his community in the escalating tensions with Fulani herdsmen.
In an exclusive interview on the Happy Morning Show with Sefah-Danquah, Nana Kwasi Opoku Mintah II expressed the community’s peaceful coexistence with people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, affirming that they had no intention of excluding or expelling the Fulani population.
However, the chief shed light on the plight of his people, who had experienced the devastating consequences of their farmlands being ravaged by Fulani cattle.
“It is not our will to abandon or boot out the Fulanis from the community,” he said. “But we live in our community and on our lands which we haven’t given to anyone. You are only and rightly ploughing your land to cater for your family, only to wake up one day on harvest day to realize cows have eaten and destroyed everything you’ve toiled for.”
Nana Kwasi Opoku Mintah described how confrontations with the Fulani herdsmen had escalated to threats of violence. “When you confront them, then they threaten to kill you. So you’ll only have to get back home and wallow in hunger and drought,” he added.
With a strong and determined tone, the chief declared, “That is why I’m coming out strong and declaring that we have not given any land to any Fulani. I won’t sit idle for my people to wallow in hunger, drought, and poverty. I would protect my people at all costs and shield them from bullies and cheats because they trust me to be their chief and their leader. We can’t continue living with Fulani who are inconsiderate and obsessed with evil deeds.”
This resolute stance from the Chief of Kwahu Tafo follows an earlier warning issued during a durbar of chiefs and residents in the community earlier this month. During the gathering, Nana Kwasi Opoku Mintah and the people of Kwahu Tafo had cautioned that if the attacks by Fulani herdsmen did not cease, they would take matters into their own hands.
The traditional leader expressed deep concern about the increasing frequency of herdsmen attacks and emphasized that they would defend themselves if the attacks persisted. He further warned that if the government did not act to remove the herders from their village, they would resort to using force.
Nana Kwasi Opoku Mintah outlined a drastic measure they were willing to take, stating, “If the ranchers do not comply with the evacuation directions or take their animals away from our lands, the resolution will be to shoot every cattle on site.”
He announced the community’s intention to initiate a comprehensive evacuation exercise, leaving no livestock on their properties. The Fulani herders in the area were urged to either confine their animals in the ranch or transport them away from the community’s land.
