By Mohamed Vandi
The Paramount Chief of Jawei Chiefdom, Ngombukla Kallon has hired the services of the Kamajor or local hunters to fight off bush cows that have gone on the rampage and causing mayhem in the chiefdom. Speaking to Politico, PC Kallon said the Kamajors would be expected to fight alongside officers of the police special division (OSD) who are yet to surface. He said there had been several reports of destruction by the cows in the chiefdom, adding that in Nganyaguehun Village in Mandu Chiefdom they killed a chief. The cows were also reportedly seen moving towards the villages of Benduma and Baiima. He said the residents had been deprived of their farming activities for fear of attacks by the wild animals, adding that cocoa production which is one of the major revenue sources in the chiefdom had come to a standstill due to the extensive destruction caused by the cows. “They are attacking my people, and destroying our rice and other crops,” the chief said, adding that it was necessary and of extreme urgency to expedite their plans and pursue the cows back into the forest. PC Kallon said all section chiefs of the chiefdom had met and agreed to make some financial contributions to deal with the situation. He said three of the eight sections in his chiefdom had already paid Le100,000 each for the operation and that he had sent a public notice to radio stations to remind the other chiefs of their commitment. He said the contribution made by the chiefs would go towards paying the hunters “who are ready to pursue and fight” the wild animals. “We have assembled the hunters in the chiefdom to fight those destructive cows” he said. He went on that needed to expedite the operation of the hunters to save the lives of those residing in remote villages. He said that he had informed the Assistant Inspector General of Police in the east and other stakeholders about the situation. Similarly, a farmer, Joseph Kallon appealed to the local authorities to fast-track their commitment so that the hunters would go into action immediately. He said the animals were not only destroying their crops, but also chasing them from their farms. He said every year especially during cocoa harvesting time, the activities of the cows would intensify as they move from farm to farm to destroy their produce. “The situation has now become unbearable” he said, adding that if prompt action was not taken, there would be no more farming in the chiefdom and the people would starve.
