Traditional authorities in the Gomoa Ajumako and Gomoa Assin areas have called for an urgent investigation into the shooting incident that left three people dead and 23 others injured during a clash involving residents of Gomoa communities and settlers of New Winneba.
The chiefs want the Inspector General of Police (IGP), National Security and other relevant security institutions to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
They have also demanded that the New Winneba North Police Station be closed within one week, alleging that personnel attached to the station were involved in the shooting.
The chiefs further called on the Central Regional Lands Commission and other relevant agencies to establish and publicly clarify the boundaries between the Gomoa Central District and the Effutu Municipality.
They believe resolving the land boundary issue, together with an impartial investigation into the shooting, would help reduce tensions and prevent further violence and destruction of lives and property.
At a press conference at Gomoa Ekroful on Thursday, Nana Okatakyi Idan Opirim IX, the Gomoa Jukwahene and Apesemakahene of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, condemned the clash involving residents of Gomoa Oguaakrom, Yenkuadze and Pomadze and settlers of New Winneba.
Nana Opirim said the two Paramount Chiefs of the Gomoa Ajumako and Gomoa Assin Traditional Areas had longstanding concerns about the construction of the New Winneba North Police Station because the land on which the facility was built was disputed and claimed to fall within the jurisdiction of the Gomoa Central District Assembly.
He stressed that the traditional authorities had not ordered the eviction of New Winneba settlers but had opposed the construction of the police station because of the unresolved land dispute.
The chief called on the IGP, National Security, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and other security agencies to conduct a full investigation into the deaths and injuries recorded during the confrontation.
He said the authorities needed to establish what led to the shooting and determine who was responsible for the use of firearms against the civilians.
Nana Opirim alleged that farmers in Gomoa Yenkuadze had repeatedly reported attacks by suspected hired land guards.
He further alleged that an officer from the New Winneba North District Police Office shot an elderly man from Gomoa Oguaakrom, prompting residents to converge at the police station in solidarity with the victim.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
The traditional authority also raised concerns about the status of New Winneba settlers in relation to political and administrative boundaries, alleging that some residents of the settlement cast their ballots in the Effutu Constituency despite the area being located within the Gomoa Central Constituency.
Nana Opirim said the various disputes had created an atmosphere of mistrust and tension between the affected communities.
He warned that failure by the IGP and National Security to respond to the chiefs’ demands could further deepen divisions between the two traditional areas and the Effutu side.
He therefore appealed for swift intervention by the security and land authorities to prevent further escalation.
Nana Opirim said the two Paramount Chiefs remained committed to pursuing justice and a lasting resolution to the conflict.
He expressed confidence that the security agencies would act promptly to investigate the matter and help restore peace to the affected communities.
