Factors Influencing Changing Boundaries and/or Routes of Fulani Herders in the North Eastern Corridors of Ghana: A Count Model Approach

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the factors influencing the movement or changing of herding routes among herders in the North – Eastern corridor of the Northern and Northeast Regions of Ghana. The study followed a cross-sectional descriptive survey research design and adopted the Poison and Negative Binomial regression Models. A total of 210 Fulani herders and seven community/opinion leaders from seven communities across four (4) districts were randomly selected for this study. Duration of a herder’s stay in a community (P≤.01), being given a range of land for kraaling or grazing (P≤.01), having access to education for children (P≤0.1), losing cattle before (P≤.01) and ever being harmed or witnessing same due to conflict (P≤.01) are important factors that prevent or reduce the number of times a herder changes location or route. On the other hand, factors including hired herding (P≤.01), years of education of a herder (P≤.05) and restriction or lack of grazing land for cattle (P≤.1) are some of the most compelling factors that lead to changes in location or herding routes of Fulani herders.  Fulani herders should be registered and integrated into the various communities whilst encouraging them to educate their children and have permanent living status.