Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, has warned that he will ensure the closure of the Effutu North District Police Station in New Winneba following deadly clashes over a longstanding land dispute in the Central Region.
Speaking on Neat FM, the MP argued that the Effutu North District Police Station is located on land that, according to a report from the Lands Commission, falls within the traditional and administrative boundaries of Gomoa.
A-Plus explained that upon assuming office, he became concerned about the longstanding land dispute between the two areas and the potential for further conflict.
He therefore petitioned the Lands Commission to provide him with a comprehensive report clearly outlining the traditional and administrative boundaries of Gomoa Central and the neighbouring Effutu area.
According to the MP, the Lands Commission subsequently provided a detailed report indicating the respective boundaries of Effutu and Gomoa lands.
A-Plus said that after receiving the report, he formally wrote to the Ministry of the Interior to draw its attention to the location of the Effutu North District Police Station, which he claims is situated deep within Gomoa land.
He argued that locating a police facility associated with Effutu within what he maintains is Gomoa territory could create further tension, particularly because of the longstanding dispute between the two communities.
According to A-Plus, the decision to build the police station at that location could be interpreted as an indication that the authorities consider the area to be Effutu territory, a position he insists contradicts the findings contained in the Lands Commission’s report.
The MP further disclosed that he intends to lead his constituents in another demonstration over the matter.
He said the previous demonstration was conducted without a permit, which he believes contributed to the lack of adequate police protection and the escalation of the situation.
New Winneba Attack: 'If the law fails, we will declare government an enemy of Gomoa' - A-Plus
He maintained that the residents would not abandon their demands despite the violence that occurred during the earlier demonstration.
“We are going on another demonstration. The mistake my people made was that, during the first demonstration, they did not obtain a permit. If they had secured a permit, the police would have been deployed to protect them, and a whole lot of things would have been different. But nobody should sit down and think that we are relenting. We will close down the Effutu North District Police Station in New Winneba,” he said.
A-Plus also alleged that police officers killed two people and injured 19 others during the violent clash.
According to him, the police arrived at the scene with live ammunition and opened fire on residents during the confrontation.
The police’s account of the incident, however, puts the death toll at three, with between 15 and 17 people reportedly injured and receiving treatment at the Winneba Trauma Hospital.
Following the clashes, the police have deployed additional personnel to the affected communities, mounted checkpoints and intensified patrols in an effort to restore calm and prevent further violence.
Several people have also reportedly been arrested in connection with the clashes as investigations into the incident continue.
@phamous.com “We will closed down Effutu North District Police Station” — MP Gomoa Central
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