Residents of Asubuasu in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region are protesting against the activities of nomadic herdsmen, blaming them for the destruction of vast farmlands and environmental pollution.
The aggrieved residents, mostly farmers, say they have endured years of hardship due to the presence of herders, who they claim have taken over their lands and water sources.
According to the residents, the herdsmen’s cattle have polluted the only water source in the area, forcing them to purify it with chemicals like alum before use.
Clad in red headbands and armbands, the protesters took to the streets of the community, wielding placards to express their frustration over the destruction of their farmlands.
Asubuasu, known as one of the food baskets of Sekyere Central, produces crops such as cassava and plantains, but farmers say their livelihoods are now at risk.
“The nomadic herdsmen have taken over our farms and community. When they see you, they signal their animals to attack. They only call them off when they realize you are near death,” a resident alleged.
Another resident shared a personal ordeal: “Yesterday, I went to the farm to fetch firewood, but the herders attacked me. I injured my foot on a nail while trying to escape.”
The presence of the herdsmen has also instilled fear in schoolchildren. “The kids are too scared to go to school. We now have to load them onto motorcycles to get them there,” a protester lamented.
Residents say the only stream serving the community is now heavily polluted, largely due to the animals drinking from it. “We rely on alum to purify the dirty water. My children are afraid to go to the farm because of the herdsmen,” another resident said.
The situation escalated when three residents were reportedly arrested by the police for killing some cattle that had encroached on their farms. The protesters are demanding the release of their colleagues and an end to the activities of the herdsmen.
“On Saturday, we heard that three of our people had been arrested. The local authorities are aware of what’s happening, so why are they arresting innocent people?” George Dapaah, leader of the aggrieved farmers, questioned.
The residents are calling on authorities to intervene before tensions escalate further.
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