Yakubu Musah Barry, a Fulani community leader in Ghana, has expressed concern about how disputes between herders and farmers are resolved and reported.
He noted that it is unfortunate how Fulanis are blamed for every single act of violence without any proper investigation into the matter.
He admitted that once in a while, there would be misunderstandings between herdsmen and Fulanis, but the most important thing to ask is how these misunderstandings are resolved to prevent escalation of the situation.
He posits that the law requires how issues of crime ought to be addressed and the processes involved, but some people are quick to blame Fulanis even when they are not the ones who may have committed the offence.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he said the stereotyping of Fulanis as criminals and violent people must stop immediately.
He believes that Fulanis have been in Ghana since long before independence and have contributed to the country’s economic success in different areas.
He argued that Fulanis have been tagged as criminals when, in actual crime, there is no specific ethnic group.
Using the Kpandai incident where the house of the Fulani Chief was set ablaze following an attack on a resident that was blamed on two Fulanis, he described it as an unfortunate questioning why some people will take the law into their own hands and attack another over a crime he knew nothing about.
He also asked what the people would do if it turned out that the attackers were not even Fulanis but one of their own people.
“When crimes are committed, they ascribe them to Fulanis. It is unfortunate that this view has acquired traction. Even if a Fulani has done a crime, why don’t you let the police investigate? What if it turns out that the attack was not even carried out by Fulanis, as claimed?
He indicated that Fulanis deserve better treatment than they get currently, adding that we also encourage the police to conduct investigations into these acts to ensure that the persons behind them are arrested and prosecuted, whether they are Fulani, Konkomba, or any other person. Attacking suspected criminals is unlawful and must end, he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
