Residents of Aboso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region are living in fear following a reported rise in goat thefts, with suspected thieves allegedly using tramadol or sleeping tablets to incapacitate the animals before making away with them.
For Kojo Bonsu, a goat farmer in the community, the situation has become a devastating financial blow.
Mr Bonsu says he has lost almost his entire herd of 70 goats, with only two animals remaining after a series of alleged thefts.
The losses have left him counting the cost of what appears to be a growing threat to livestock farming in the community, where residents say suspected thieves strike under the cover of darkness.
According to reports from affected residents, the suspected perpetrators allegedly mix tramadol or sleeping tablets with food or fish and feed them to the goats. The substances are said to weaken the animals within minutes, making them easier to steal without attracting attention.
Mr Bonsu told the media that he was not the only victim, claiming that the Zonal Council Chairman and several other residents had also suffered similar losses.
The repeated incidents have heightened concerns among livestock owners, many of whom depend on their animals for their livelihoods and financial security.
Mr Bonsu suspects that some of the stolen goats may be finding their way to ‘chinchinga’ (kebab) vendors amid demand for goat meat. However, no evidence has been provided to establish a connection between the vendors and the alleged thefts.
Beyond the financial losses, the farmer fears the situation could provoke anger and frustration among residents if the perpetrators are not identified and brought to justice.
He expressed concern that some affected residents might turn to traditional spiritual practices in search of intervention, warning that the community could face serious consequences if the situation continues to escalate.
Despite the reported scale of the thefts, Mr Bonsu said the affected farmers had yet to formally report the incidents to the police, explaining that they had not had the opportunity to do so.
Residents are now calling for urgent intervention to protect their livestock, investigate the alleged drugging of the animals and bring those responsible to justice.
For Mr Bonsu and other affected farmers, the immediate concern is not only the loss of their animals but also the fear of waking up to find that what remains of their livelihoods has disappeared.
According to Bibi Monney, a media personality in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, the affected farmers are calling for swift action to restore confidence and prevent further livestock losses in Aboso.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
