Accra: The Innovations for Sustainable Rural Development (ISRuDev) has initiated efforts to engage the Fulbe people in selected communities within the Wa West District. This initiative aims to promote social cohesion between the Fulbe and the local indigenes.

According to Ghana News Agency, the engagement, held at Chogsia, gathered approximately 60 Fulbe individuals and traditional leaders from ISRuDev’s 13 operational communities, which include Chogsia, Anyorikura, Dakori, Motori, Gbaaliwob, and Meteu. The event is part of ISRuDev’s broader focus on promoting gender and social inclusion within these communities. The initiative also seeks to foster peaceful coexistence among residents to drive community development forward.

Mr. Maxwell Kpetaa, the Business Development Officer of ISRuDev, addressed the participants, highlighting the Fulbe community’s lack of active participation in the organisation’s programmes and activities. This lack of engagement has been a growing concern. ‘We have realised that all the
activities that we have been doing the Fulbe people in these communities don’t participate in. When we even call for meetings, they don’t come; when we try to engage them in other activities, they don’t come,’ he explained. The meeting aimed to identify and address barriers to their participation and encourage full involvement in community initiatives.

Naa Sumaila Abass, the Chief of Anyorikura, spoke on behalf of the traditional leaders, commending ISRuDev for its initiatives. He assured that the chiefs would support the organisation to ensure the successful implementation of its interventions. ‘Every chief wants development in his community, and so whatever initiative that will bring development to our communities, we will support it,’ Naa Abass stated. However, he called on the organisation to ensure inclusiveness in its activities so that all ethnic groups and tribes in the communities benefit from its interventions.

Mr. Amadu Moro, representing the Fulbe community, expressed concern over their exclusio
n from community gatherings and development discussions. He also lamented the use of stereotypical and derogatory names such as ‘Fulbie,’ ‘Fuldao,’ and ‘Fulpogo,’ emphasizing that every human being deserves to be addressed by their proper name. Mr. Moro expressed hope that ISRuDev’s initiative would address these concerns, promote inclusiveness, and build mutual respect among all community members.

ISRuDev, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in the Wa West District, currently operates in 13 communities where it promotes economic empowerment, education, and gender and social inclusion.