Africa : Ghana: Panic As Lion Attacks Farmer
on 2009/2/24 18:59:12

Mr. Dzamesi receiving medical attention at the Volta Regional Hospital with his broken left arm and other wounds he sustained during the struggle with the lion.

Fear has gripped Residents of Workpe, Kpovianu, Agbelikope and Blidokope, as well as the surrounding communities in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District, following reports that a lion has surfaced in the area. The wild animal has already attacked one person.

The people first received the information about the presence of the animal from some Fulani herdsmen who complained that it attacked and killed their cattle. They did not, however, take the matter serious until Mr. Akogo Dzamesi, a fifty-one year old farmer was attacked by the wild animal. The victim had to struggle with the Lion to protect himself from being killed.

Narrating his ordeal to The Chronicle at the Volta Regional hospital, the 51 year old farmer said he went to his farm last week Friday at about 11:30am, when he heard an unusual sound behind him, but he ignored the looming danger and continued working.

Mr. Dzamesi further said that the unusual sound was becoming more frightening and so he decided to turn and look, and when he did, he saw a brown lion with fully grown fur around its chest and neck area, which was staring at him as it slowly wriggled the waist.

According to Mr. Dzamesi, he then became afraid and was contemplating whether he should run or stay and fight the animal. After a short period the lion started moving towards him, and sensing danger he quickly cocked his double barrel gun and shot at the lion. The animal fell to the ground, but quickly lifted itself up and pounced on him, as a result of which his gun fell from his hand.

He said that he then engaged the Lion in a struggle until he became weak, having suffered from the Lion's fierce attack and bite on his left-arm. He however, mustered some courage and managed to squeeze his two legs around the Lion's waist, and at the same time used his elbow to prevent it from biting his neck.

At this point, he was almost at the point of death and told this reporter in Ewe language that "he was an elderly man so he 'spoke' to the lion and slapped it and immediately it moved away from him."

Mr. Dzamesi is still on admission at the Volta Regional Hospital. The Medical Superintendent at the hospital, Dr. Geoffrey Nyamuame, said it became necessary to carry out surgery on the victim's hand on two occasions because the injury was severe. He however, assured that Mr. Dzamesi was in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, a visit to the Workpe community where the incident occurred, as well as other communities in the area, the women have expressed fear about their safety. They are also concerned about the security of their children and have resolved to prevent them from going to School until the lion was killed.

In the meantime, the Deputy Volta Regional Police Commander, ACP Johnson Owusu Agyeman, who visited the victim at the hospital, said his outfit would liaise with the Wildlife Division to protect the people. The 66 Artillery Regiment has also sent a special military team to the area.

The Police and the local Asafo group have mounted a search for the lion, but the Mankralo of the area, Togbe Akala Tsigbe has hinted that the Lions could be more than one and of different species, and has therefore cautioned the people to be careful.

Pix Mr. Dzamesi receiving medical attention at the Volta Regional Hospital with his broken left arm and other wounds he sustained during the struggle with the lion.