Farmer–Herder Conflict and Food Security in Kwahu East District, Eastern Region, Ghana
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Master’s Thesis 2018 30 ECTS Faculty of Social Science Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric Farmer–herder conflict and food security in Kwahu East District, Eastern Region, Ghana. Samuel Antwi International Development Studies The Department of International Environmental and Development Studies, Noragric, is the international gateway for the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). Established in 1986, Noragric’s contribution to international development lies in the interface between research, education (Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes) and assignments. The Noragric Master theses are the final theses submitted by students in order to fulfil the requirements under the Noragric Master Programme “International Environmental Studies”, “International Development Studies” and “International Relations”. The findings in the thesis do not necessarily reflect the views of Noragric. Extracts from this thesis publication may only be reproduced after prior consultation with the author and on the condition that source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation contact Noragric. Noragric Department of International Environmental and Development Studies Faculty of Landscape and Society P. O. Box 5003 N- 1432 Ås Norway Tel: +47 67230000 DECLARATION I, Samuel Owusu Antwi, declare that this thesis is the result of my research investigations and findings. Sources of information other than my own have been acknowledged and a reference list appended. This work has not been previously submitted to any other university for the award of any type of academic degree. Signature ………………………… Date …………………………….... i DEDICATION: To my siblings and parents, Mr. Benjamin Antwi and Madam Florence Oduraa who showed me real love, unflinching support and encouraged me throughout my studies. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34). First, I thank God for His protection and guidance throughout my study period. Secondly, I wish to express my profound gratitude to my supervisor Poul Wisborg (Associate Professor) for his time, direction, constructive criticisms and suggestions throughout the entire research. I am also grateful to Norwegian University of Life Sciences, especially Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric, for granting me admission to pursue my master’s degree in Norway. A big thanks to the programme student advisor, Ingunn Bohmann for her advice and directions regarding the programme. Thirdly, I appreciate the efforts of all the respondents I interviewed including Mr. Daniel Ankomah, the District Planning Officer and all the government officials who assisted me during the fieldwork. Special thanks to Mr. Bamfo Elijah who helped me during the fieldwork, especially getting contact with herders and chiefs. To Akua Boadi who made time to transcribe part of the field interviews, I say God bless you. Finally, I thank my parents, siblings and the entire family for the encouragements, advice, love and financial support throughout my education. Am very grateful. To all my friends who helped me in diverse ways throughout the thesis writing process, I am indebted to you. iii ABSTRACT The conflict between resource users is no new phenomenon in West Africa including Ghana. Debate and discussions about such conflict mostly centre on resource scarcity. This study examines the impact of farmer–herder conflict on food security in Ghana using Kwahu East District as a case study. A qualitative method was employed for data collection and respondents included farmers, herders, traditional rulers, security officers, local government officials, agriculture and veterinary officers. In addition to individual interviews, group interviews were carried out with farmers and herders. Also, nineteen household heads were interviewed to ascertain the impact of the conflict on household food security. Semi-structured questions were used to obtain the data from the respondents. Direct observation was also used to gain a better understanding of the issues. The study showed that the major cause of the conflict is competition over arable lands for farming and grazing, especially in the dry season. Other triggers of the conflict reported were crop destructions, stealing and killing of cattle, violence against women, pollution of water bodies, burning of grass, spraying weedicide and pesticide, farming close to grazing lands. The conflict has caused displacement of families and individuals, injuries, loss of lives and negatively affected agriculture production. The study revealed that affected farmers are unable to access their farms which have caused food shortage and hunger in such households. To seek to manage and resolve the conflict, measures used by the government include Operation Cow Leg, the creation of fodder banks to limit the movement of cattle and registration of cattle owners and their cattle. Government interventions to ensure food security have mainly involved support to crop farmers and farming communities and left out pastoralists, and as such appear one-sided. Based on the findings, the study recommends that a mediation committee should be set up to resolve conflicts at the individual level, registration of herders, cattle owners and cattle for easy identification and creating grazing reserves far from farmlands. The national government should also enact ranch law and ban open grazing method to avoid future occurrence of such conflict since the expulsion policy has proven futile in resolving farmer – herder conflict in the country. Keywords: Farmers, herders, Operation Cow Leg, resource scarcity, food security. iv ACRONYMS AAND Asante Akyem North District CID Criminal Investigation Department DCE District Chief Executive DCOP District Chief Commander of Police DPO District Planning Officer DISEC District Security Council ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation FASDEP Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy FCUBE Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education GNACAF Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers GHC Ghana New Cedis GPRS Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy GSFP Ghana School Feeding Program GSS Ghana Statistical Service IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IRIN Integrated Regional Information KED Kwahu East District KTC Kwahu Traditional Council MDG Millennium Development Goals MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture MP Member of Parliament v NDC National Democratic Congress NPP New Patriotic Party OCL Operation Cow Leg PNDC Provisional National Defence Council PFJ Planting for Food and Jobs PRIO Peace Research Institute Oslo REGSEC Regional Security Council RELC Research and Extension Linkage Committee SADA Savannah Accelerated Development Authority SDG Sustainable Development Goals UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environmental Programme USAID United States Agency for International Development WANEP West Africa Network for Peacebuilding vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................... i DEDICATION ..................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................. iii ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................... iv ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................ v LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................ xi LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................ xii 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Research problem ....................................................................................... 3 1.3. Objectives and research questions .............................................................. 4 1.4. Scope and justification for the study ............................................................ 5 1.5. Thesis organisation ...................................................................................... 6 2. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................. 7 2.1. The study area .............................................................................................. 7 2.2. Economic activities and political administration ......................................... 8 2.3. Land tenure system in Ghana and the study area ...................................... 10 2.4. History of Fulani migration to Ghana ........................................................ 15 2.5. Violence in Ghana after independence ...................................................... 17 3. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................ 20 3.1. Conflict, violence and resources ................................................................ 20 3.2. Land conflict and food security ................................................................. 23 3.3. Relationship between farmers and herders ................................................ 25 3.4. Review of farmer–herder conflict in some African countries .................. 27 3.4.1. Cases of farmer–herder