The conflicts between herders and farmers in Asante Akyim Agogo. How can they be resolved? (PDF)

Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Sociology - Miscellaneous, , language: English, abstract: This study examines the conflicts between herders and farmers in the Asante Akyim Agogo traditional area in Ghana. Herder-farmer relations and interactions are not new in Ghana. These relations of the herders and farmers are presented as noticeable by conflict, complementarities and cooperation. However, there are widespread reports of the increase in violent conflicts between the farmers and herders in many parts of Ghana. The Fulani herdsmen have always been alleged to be violent in their interactions with the residents over the use of resources. The study examined the causes of the herder-farmer conflicts and the effects of the conflicts in Asante Akyim Agogo. The study also examines the responses of the local and central government, and the strategies adopted to curb the conflict.

The study adopted a qualitative research approach which helped in gathering information on the conflicts between herders and farmers in Agogo in order to explain the findings of the study and making valid conclusions. Secondary data from books, journals, articles and the internet were used during the research. Given the complexity of the subject matter in this content analysis, and the number of philosophical questions that it raises, it took an interpretive approach. It was based on a critical review of existing literature from a variety of academic works. The underpinning theories for this study were the theory of Farmer-Herder Relations, Conflict theory and, Environmental Scarcity and Eco-Survivalism theories of Conflict.

These interpretations emphasized on the increase of crop destruction, cattle rustling, raping of women, killing of cattle and armed robbery as causes of farmer-herder conflict Asante Akyim Agogo. The implication was that, several people lost their lives and properties, poverty and social problems, destruction of farm products and reduction of output and income of farmers. The study concluded with the recommendation that farmers and herders or pastoralists must create good exchange arrangements with families to make use of crop residue or to trade goods. These lawful engagements can include the means for control over the pasture, regulation of access to routes, regulation of disputes over property rights, identification of herds, marriage disputes and other social problems.