2024-08-07 22:22:13
Many countries such as Togo and Benin have suspended or banned border crossings, with cattle rustling seen by these states as a source of terrorist financing. But Ghana, like Ivory Coast, does not want to block livestock traders from the Sahel, who often travel at the risk of their lives.
In the Gunayili market, near Tamale in northern Ghana, many livestock traders come from the Sahel, either by truck or on foot, by truck.
Managing such a product is not easy. Here, the head of the market, Alhaji Iddrisu, has solved small problems like cattle theft. An owner can get back his stolen cattle, because each herd has a common mark, such as hot ears.
If the plane passes the borders, it is more complicated. ” If the news comes from the city of Ouagadougou and they come to arrest the thieves in Ghana, this issue is not beyond our market, he explained. We handle matters that occur between us only. International affairs are often referred to the police because we do not deal with such matters here. »
Unknown origin
At Ghana’s borders, transhumance herdsmen pass several checks before being able to enter the country. They then go to the market, such as that of Tulaku, near the capital, to sell their meat.
Despite everything, on the market, it is impossible to know exactly the origin of the cows. “ This product is a global product, underlines Issah Amartey, secretary general of the Association of Livestock Breeders and Traders in Ghana. You can’t really tell who is who. »
A dangerous journey
To get here, the transhumants make a long journey across the Sahel, sometimes at the risk of their lives. ” One day, a man was attacked. They asked him to pay a lot of money. We want to file a complaint “, but the man refused, recalls Issah Amartey.
Often, robberies are committed by terrorist which is financed by the resale of livestock. How to protect livestock business? ” Ghana cannot do it alone, Judge Isah Amartey. We should take measures at the ECOWAS level. »
Contacted by RFI, the Ghanaian government explained that it respects the ECOWAS framework on transhumance, but admits that it is difficult to monitor all transhumants and their movements.
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