ani pastoralists in terms of their access to resources, land, belonging and settlements in local communities. National and local discourses have regarded Fulani pastoralists including those of second- and third-generation as migrants and non-citizens. Besides, the paper shows that these prejudices, stereotypes and practices of exclusion have affected and structured relations between the pastoralists and local people, especially farmers. There are less chances of pastoralists’ cooperation with local people, as well as Fulani integration into society; rather, these attitudes contribute to an escalation of violence in cases of conflict. Whilst we refuse to generalize that all people in Ghana hold these views against the Fulani, there are clear indicators that in local attitudes, discourses and policies, media reports and government action have overtly and covertly excluded and marginalized Fulani. These are mainly seen in national expulsion exercises, local community evictions and lack of access and rights to resource uses in the community. National and local polices and discourses on Fulani pastoralists need rethinking. Fulani are not homogeneous, and each individual Fulani engaged in crime or bad behaviour does not need to represent social categorizations that blame the Fulani as a whole group. Ghanaian media discourse is a major force that contributes to the social and cognitive categorizations of Fulani.
Fulani which is derived from Hausa is the English term for these pastoralists. Fula is derived from the Manding languages and is also used in English. Fulɓe is the original term for the people. This has been adopted into English, often spelt Fulbe. In French, Fulani are called Peuls. See Davidheiser and Luna (2008). From Complementarity to Conflict: A Historical Analysis of Farmer-Fulbe Relations in West Africa. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 8 (1): 77–104.
Ghana’s 2010 Population and Housing Census categorized ethnic groups into eight: Akans (47.5%), Mole Dagbani (16.6%), Ewe (13.9%), Ga-Dangme (7.4.1%), Gurma (5.7%), Guan (3.7%), Grusi (2.5%), Mande (1.1%) and others (1.4%) to include foreign ethnic groups and foreigners. Ghana’s total population as of 2010 was 24,658,823. Other previous censuses as well have these as the classification of ethnic groups in Ghana.
This allegation was made in the Northern, Upper East and Ashanti and during interviews with Fulani and claimed by Fulani to have been nationwide. This is clearly a case of corruption and is not sanctioned by the state.
This information is based on interviews with elderly people in Gushiegu and Agogo.
See Joshua Project. (2015). Fulani, Maasina in Ghana http://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11773/GH (Accessed 16 November 2014)
Interview with female trader, Gushiegu town (17 November 2013)
Ghana News Agency. (4 March 2012). Police Arrest Two Fulani. http://ghananewsagency.org/human-interest/police-arrests-two-fulani-armed-robbers-40087 (Accessed 16 November 2014)
VibeGhana.com (27 January 2013). Ashanti Police gun down seven Fulani armed robbers http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201301/100535.php (Accessed 16 November 2014)
Ghana Review International (4 October 2011). 5 Fulani Robbers busted. http://www.ghanareview.com/Restyle/index2.php?class=News&date=2011-10-04&id=50552 (Accessed 16 November 2014)
Citifmonline.com (26 September 2014). 5 armed robbers arrested in V/R. http://citifmonline.com/2014/09/26/5-armed-robbers-arrested-in-vr/ (Accessed 16 November 2014)
ModernGhana.com. (2 June 2012). Two Fulani Armed Robbers Killed in Shoot-out with Police http://www.modernghana.com/sports/399172/1/two-fulani-armed-robbers-killed-in-shoot-out-with-.html (Accessed 16 November 2014)
In fact, the identity of the said robbers was not identified, yet it was concluded they were Fulani. See Daily Guide (16 June 2014). 30 Ganjamen Busted. http://www.dailyguideghana.com/30-ganjamen-busted/ (Accessed 16 November 2014)
ModernGhana.com. (16 January 2003). Woman, 40, raped by Fulani herdsman. http://www.modernghana.com/news/30043/1/woman-40-raped-by-fulani-herds