Berekum Senase, Ghana

Senase is a suburb in Berekum Municipal District, Bono Region of Ghana. Senase is situated nearby to the towns Kato and Berekum.

The main occupation of the indigenes are predominantly farming.

This has encouraged more youth in the area to acquire a tract of land for farming purposes.

This development motivated one Benneh Frimpong, native of the community to venture into Goat rearing, with the aim of specializing in different species of goat to meet the local demand for goat meat in Ghana.

Taboo compliance 

Semanhyia Learning and Development Farms, a prominent livestock breeding facility in Berekum Senase, faces an unexpected setback as the nananom (traditional leaders) of Berekum land orders the closure of its ¢5 million cedis investment, citing compliance with taboo values.

In an exclusive interview with Oyerepa TV news, Fredrick Benneh Frimpong, the founder and CEO of Semanhyia Farms, disclosed that the directive resulted from a historic taboo against rearing live goats in Berekum lands. Despite locals previously rearing goats in the same area without repercussions, recent events, including the slaughter of stray goats during a chief’s burial ceremony, prompted the sudden enforcement of this taboo.

According to the traditional rulers, deity (local god) of the area “forbids goats” hence the people were forbidden to rear the animal on the Berekum soil.

Semanhyia Farms, renowned for its meticulous South African goat breeding practices, boasts 200 breeds, each valued at $1500. Despite Mr. Benneh’s innovative feeding solutions, including climate-resistant hay, the nananom has issued a two-week ultimatum to evacuate all goats from the land.

Mr. Benneh, passionate about transforming Ghana’s livestock industry, expressed dedication to introducing innovative ideas for livestock breeding and rearing. The closure jeopardizes not only his investment but also the construction of West Africa’s largest goat pen at Senase, costing ¢400,000.

Despite locals rearing goats in the same tract of land for years, Mr. Benneh drew inspiration from their activities and has been successfully operating for five years. However, the recent intervention by the abrafo) of Berekum, who besieged the community to eliminate stray goats during the late chief’s burial ceremony, signaled a sudden change. Fortunately, Semanhyia Farms’ fenced enclosure spared it from the onslaught, underscoring the abrupt enforcement of the taboo against live goat rearing in the area.

This unforeseen turn of events leaves Mr. Benneh Frimpong, founder and CEO of Semanhyia Farms, grappling with the financial repercussions, the impact on his future plans, and broader questions about the intersection of traditional taboos and evolving agricultural practices in Ghana.

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