Dr. Abu Sakara, a former presidential candidate for the convention people’s party (CPP) and Founder of the National Interest Movement has raised serious concerns about the potential for infiltration of Islamic Jihadists into the Savannah region.
According to him, the act is as a result of the role played by chiefs in the region in renting grazing rights to transhuman cattle herders ( Fulani herdsmen).
The situation Dr. Abu Saakara said has led to an unequal power balance, favoring cattle herders over land cultivators.
He also noted that the presence of regular cattle herders may mask the security risk posed by the jihadists that hide among them in their communities.
To address this security risk and a potential environmental disaster, Dr. Abu Sakara suggests urgent national action to regulate land grazing rights issued by chiefs and such also determine the optimal carrying capacity for migratory cattle herding that gives priority to crop and tree cultivation by settler mixed farmers.
He also called for a comprehensive assessment of the number of cattle herders and their families to minimize intensty of their impact on settled farming communities and the environmental degradation.
He noted that it is essential to coordinate efforts beyond traditional authorities and local governments due to conflicts of interests.
Source:Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
