ActionAid Ghana Calls for Designated Grazing Areas to Mitigate Farmer-Herder Conflicts in Sissala East

ActionAid Ghana has called on landowners and local authorities in the Upper West Region to establish designated grazing areas to mitigate recurring conflicts between farmers and herders. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Tumu, Madam Abiba Nibaradun, the Upper West Regional Programme Manager for ActionAid, emphasized that clear demarcation is essential to prevent crop destruction and ensure peaceful coexistence during the cropping season. The initiative aims to provide a structured solution to the tensions that frequently disrupt agricultural activities and community peace in the area.

The forum, organized in collaboration with ASUDEV, addressed a growing crisis fueled by competition for land and resources, which has been exacerbated by climate change and deep-seated mistrust. Mr. Osman Kanton, Executive Director of ASUDEV, noted that these factors have made traditional resource management increasingly difficult. Stakeholders highlighted that without structured grazing zones, the destruction of crops remains a primary trigger for violence, which ultimately threatens the economic empowerment and livelihoods of both farming and herding communities.

Beyond land disputes, the meeting brought to light significant social issues, including the prevalence of child labor within the herding sector. Madam Nibaradun specifically condemned the use of children—particularly those from the Fulbe community—for herding cattle, urging that all children be given access to formal education instead of being kept on the field. Participants argued that including Fulbe leaders in local decision-making processes is a critical step toward building trust and ensuring that all community members are represented in peace-building efforts.

To formalize these conflict-resolution efforts, the Sissala East Municipal Assembly is set to enact and enforce bye-laws aimed at regulating cattle management and grazing practices. These regulations will support the establishment of secure kraals and communal grazing areas as recommended by local chiefs and community leaders. The forum concluded with a unified call for inclusive dialogue and stronger stakeholder collaboration to ensure that these proposed grazing zones are respected and that long-term stability is achieved in the region.