Omanghana
Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has outlined the measures he took to prevent the longstanding Gomoa–Effutu boundary dispute from escalating into violence.
Speaking on Joy News, the MP rejected claims that he and state institutions failed to act despite receiving warnings about the growing tensions. He explained that several government agencies investigated the matter, but their interventions did not produce a lasting settlement on the ground.
According to A Plus, he petitioned the Lands Commission shortly after assuming office, requesting an official demarcation of the boundary between Gomoa Central and Effutu lands.
The commission subsequently prepared a comprehensive report identifying the relevant boundary markers and outlining the areas belonging to the respective jurisdictions.
A Plus said he also contacted the Ministry of Local Government to clarify the legally recognized boundaries of the Gomoa Central District. The engagement included a review of the legislative instruments defining where the district begins and ends.
After obtaining documents from the Lands Commission and the Ministry of Local Government, the MP submitted a petition to the Ministry of the Interior.
He said the petition highlighted administrative inconsistencies in which some communities located deep within Gomoa Central were treated as part of the Effutu constituency for electoral purposes.
A Plus warned that the overlap between administrative, electoral and traditional boundaries could become a major source of conflict if it was not resolved.
He also challenged the Ghana Police Service over the naming of a police facility reportedly situated on land identified in official records as part of Gomoa Central.
The facility had been named the “Effutu North District Police Headquarters,” but A Plus requested that it be renamed the Gomoa Akronkwanta Police Station. He argued that retaining the original name could reinforce Effutu’s claim to the disputed territory and deepen tensions between the communities.
According to the MP, the Ministry of the Interior reviewed his submissions, conducted an independent assessment and directed the Ghana Police Service to intervene.
Police subsequently invited traditional leaders from both sides for discussions. However, no final agreement was reached, leaving the dispute unresolved for about a year.
The prolonged disagreement eventually resulted in violent clashes between residents of Gomoa and New Winneba. Three people were killed, while several others sustained injuries.
Following the violence, A Plus and Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced plans to work together to restore peace. The two legislators agreed to visit traditional leaders and engage residents of the affected communities as part of efforts to prevent further bloodshed and find a lasting resolution to the dispute.
Source: Omanghana
