Central Regional Minister Mourns New Winneba Victims, Calls for Calm

Central Regional Minister Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah has expressed his condolences to families who lost loved ones in the violent clashes at New Winneba, describing the incident as a deeply unfortunate situation.

The violence, which occurred on Tuesday, September 1, left at least three people dead and several others injured, creating renewed tension in the New Winneba community. The incident has also prompted increased security measures as authorities work to prevent further violence.

The Regional Minister visited the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital on Wednesday to meet some of the injured victims and assess their condition. He used the visit to sympathise with affected families and assure residents that the government and the Regional Security Council were concerned about the situation.

Mr Eduamoah, who also chairs the Central Regional Security Council, said the loss of life was regrettable and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

“It’s an unfortunate situation,” the Minister said, stressing that the authorities share the grief of those who have lost relatives in the violence.

Several injured victims receive treatment

The violent confrontation resulted in several people sustaining injuries, including a police officer.

According to the latest update from the authorities, 12 injured persons had been discharged from the hospital, while 8 others remained in hospital for further medical assessment. The number of people initially taken to the hospital was higher, highlighting the severity of the confrontation.

The Minister expressed relief that some of those injured had recovered sufficiently to leave the hospital but said the government remained concerned about those still receiving treatment.

Medical teams at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital continue to monitor the condition of the remaining patients.

Minister urges residents to remain calm

Mr Eduamoah appealed to residents and the various groups involved in the dispute to remain calm and allow the police to complete their investigations.

He cautioned against retaliation, emphasising that residents should not take the law into their own hands.

The Minister said the grievances of the affected groups would be considered through the appropriate channels and that the authorities would work towards restoring peaceful coexistence in the area.

His appeal comes amid concerns that further confrontation could worsen the situation and lead to additional casualties.

Police arrest suspects

The Ghana Police Service has arrested six suspects in connection with the violence as investigations continue.

Authorities have not yet publicly identified a specific faction as responsible for the attack. The incident is, however, believed to be connected to a longstanding land dispute involving communities in the Effutu and Gomoa areas.

The police have deployed additional personnel to New Winneba and surrounding communities to strengthen security and prevent a recurrence of the violence.

Two armoured vehicles and additional personnel from the National Police Headquarters have also been deployed as part of efforts to stabilise the area.

Calls for lasting solution

The latest clashes have renewed concerns about unresolved land disputes and tensions between communities in the Central Region.

Beyond restoring immediate security, authorities are expected to address the underlying issues that have contributed to the tensions.

For residents, the immediate priority remains safety, while families affected by the violence continue to mourn their loved ones and hope for justice.

The Central Regional Minister has assured residents that the government will work with the security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to restore calm and promote peaceful coexistence.

As police investigations continue, authorities are urging residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with law enforcement officers to help establish what triggered the deadly confrontation.

The government faces the difficult task of maintaining calm while addressing the underlying grievances that have contributed to tensions in New Winneba. A lasting solution, stakeholders believe, will be necessary to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.