Cattle Ranching and Farmer-herder Conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the Conditions for Successes and Failures in Northern Ghana

ABSTRACT To address the prevalence of farmer-herder conflicts, Ghana has recently adopted a national cattle ranching project to establish ranches. Through a qualitative approach, this study examines the performance of existing ranches in addressing farmer-herder conflicts and the feasibility of ranches under complex land tenure arrangements. In Northern Ghana, identity, perceptions of land grab, and dynamics of access to animal feed and water sources might make cattle ranching less feasible in addressing farmer-herder conflicts. The study finds that the identity of herders as Fulani is generally perceived as dangerous, murderous, and violent. However, these issues are complicated by further concerns of corruption and rent-seeking behavior among the chiefs and security officers, especially the police. The results suggest the need to reconsider the cattle ranching policy by understanding the nature of conflicts and widening public consultation. The findings of this study are relevant for sub-Saharan African countries currently contemplating or implementing cattle-ranching policies.