Gomoa Chiefs: IGP, National Security Must Close New Winneba North Police Station

• Gomoa chiefs have given the IGP and National Security one week to close the New Winneba North Police Station.
• The demand follows a violent clash resulting in three deaths and 23 injuries, with chiefs alleging police involvement in the shooting.
• An ultimatum was also issued to the Central Regional Lands Commission to clarify boundaries between Gomoa Central District and Effutu Municipality.
• The chiefs cite a long-standing land dispute, alleged attacks by land guards, and an accusation of a police officer shooting an elderly man from Gomoa Oguaakrom.
• They are calling for a full investigation into the incidents and electoral irregularities, warning of disaffection if demands are not met.

The traditional authorities believe that addressing these two critical issues—the closure of the police station and the clarification of land boundaries—is essential to de-escalate tensions, prevent future attacks, and safeguard both property and human lives in the region, particularly between the Effutus and Gomoas.

Traditional leaders from the Gomoa Ajumako and Gomoa Assin areas have issued a stern ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and National Security, demanding the immediate closure of the New Winneba North Police Station within one week. This demand follows a violent clash that resulted in three fatalities and left 23 individuals injured, who are currently receiving medical attention at the Trauma and Specialists Hospital in Winneba. The chiefs allege that the Ghana Police Service was instrumental in orchestrating the shooting during this recent confrontation.

Simultaneously, the Gomoa chiefs have extended the same one-week ultimatum to the Central Regional Lands Commission and its associated agencies. They insist on a clear demarcation of boundaries between the Gomoa Central District and the Effutu Municipality to resolve a protracted land dispute. The traditional authorities believe that addressing these two critical issues—the closure of the police station and the clarification of land boundaries—is essential to de-escalate tensions, prevent future attacks, and safeguard both property and human lives in the region, particularly between the Effutus and Gomoas.

The controversy surrounding the New Winneba North Police Station stems from a long-standing land dispute. Nana Okatakyi Idan Opirim IX, who serves as the Gomoa Jukwahene and Apesemakahene of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, expressed strong disapproval of a recent Monday clash involving residents from Gomoa Oguaakrom, Yenkuadze, and Pomadze against settlers in New Winneba. He clarified that the paramount chiefs of Gomoa Ajumako and Gomoa Assin are deeply concerned about the police station's construction, asserting that the land it occupies rightfully belongs to the Gomoa Central District Assembly.

While the chiefs have not sought to displace the New Winneba settlers, their opposition to the New Winneba North Police Station is resolute due to the unresolved land ownership. Further exacerbating tensions, farmers in Gomoa Yenkuadze have reported ongoing assaults by hired land guards. A specific accusation has been leveled against an officer from the New Winneba North District Police Office, who is alleged to have shot an elderly man from Gomoa Oguaakrom. This incident reportedly prompted local residents to converge on the police station in solidarity with the victim, highlighting the volatile nature of the Gomoa Effutu boundary dispute violence.

In response to the escalating situation, Nana Okatakyi Idan Opirim IX has called for a thorough investigation by the Inspector General of Police, National Security, and the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) into the incidents that led to the deaths and injuries of innocent citizens. The traditional leaders emphasize that a failure by the IGP and National Security to address their demands will inevitably lead to further disaffection between the affected communities.

Beyond the immediate violence, the Apesemakahene also highlighted an electoral irregularity, noting that New Winneba Settlers residing within the Gomoa Central Constituency improperly cast their votes in the Effutu Constituency. He has urged for a full-scale probe into the recent clash to ensure fairness and promote peace, affirming that the two Paramount Chiefs will persist in their efforts until justice is achieved. The chiefs have conveyed their trust and expectation that security authorities will act decisively and swiftly to resolve the crisis.

The ongoing tensions in the Gomoa and Effutu areas, marked by the Gomoa chiefs' IGP National Security New Winneba North Police Station closure demand, underscore significant challenges in regional governance and land administration. The intertwining of land disputes with allegations of police misconduct and electoral irregularities creates a complex and volatile environment. The call for clear boundaries by the Central Regional Lands Commission Gomoa is not merely an administrative request but a fundamental plea for stability, aiming to prevent further Gomoa Effutu boundary dispute violence and loss of life.

This situation highlights the critical importance of transparent and equitable resolution mechanisms for land ownership, particularly in areas prone to historical disputes. The alleged involvement of the Ghana Police Service in the violence, including the police shooting Gomoa Oguaakrom, raises serious questions about accountability and the role of state security agencies in maintaining peace. The chiefs' ultimatum serves as a stark reminder that unresolved grievances, especially those involving land and perceived injustices, can quickly escalate into widespread disaffection and threaten the social fabric of communities.

Lawyers advising clients on land transactions or development in the Gomoa and Effutu areas should be aware of this volatile, long-standing land dispute and the potential for violence and legal challenges, including claims against state security agencies. This situation also highlights potential risks for businesses operating in areas with unresolved land boundaries and community tensions.

Source: Original reporting via GNA