Former Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Rachel Appoh, has called for calm and restraint following a violent incident linked to the longstanding land dispute between residents of Gomoa Oguaakrom and New Winneba.
The reported shooting incident left three people dead and 19 others injured, including a police officer.
In a statement issued on September 3, 2026, the former MP condemned the use of violence, firearms and other illegal means to resolve land disputes, warning that the development could further escalate tensions and endanger innocent lives.
She extended her condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Ms Appoh also asserted that New Winneba falls under the Gomoa Central Constituency and not the Winneba Constituency.
She recalled that efforts had previously been made to address the land-related concerns through meetings involving traditional authorities in Gomoa Central and former District Chief Executives.
According to her, the dispute dates back several years, with the matter having been taken to court as far back as 2012.
She said affected parties were encouraged at the time to pursue their claims through legitimate and lawful avenues.
Ms Appoh explained that while an MP can assist constituents through relevant government institutions and legal structures when land-related challenges arise, the responsibilities of an MP do not include physically confronting individuals or engaging in violent disputes over land.
She therefore urged traditional authorities, community leaders, the Lands Commission, security agencies and the courts to work within their respective mandates to resolve the dispute.
The former MP cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that no land was worth the loss of human life.
“We appeal to all parties to sheathe their weapons, refrain from provocation and allow the appropriate institutions to handle the dispute,” she said.
She called for dialogue and adherence to the law, urging all parties to choose peace over conflict.
“Let us choose dialogue over violence, law over vigilantism, and peace over conflict,” she added.
Read the statement below:
STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR GOMOA CENTRAL ON THE NEW WINNEBA LAND DISPUTE
3 September 2026: The Office of the former Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central has learnt with deep concern of the reported shooting incident involving residents of Gomoa Oguaakrom and New Winneba, which has left three persons dead and 19 others injured, including a Police Officer.
We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family following the reported loss of life associated with the dispute. We pray for strength and comfort for the family at this difficult time and wish those injured a speedy recovery.
We strongly condemn the use of violence, firearms and other illegal means in resolving land disputes. The unfortunate development has the potential to further escalate tensions and put innocent lives at risk.
It is important to emphasise that New Winneba belongs to the good people of Gomoa Central Constituency and not Winneba Constituency.
We therefore call on all parties, particularly residents of Gomoa Central, to remain calm and exercise restraint. We are not prepared to lose lives over a land dispute.
As a former Member of Parliament, I recall that meetings were held with the Traditional Authorities in Gomoa Central, together with former District Chief Executives, to discuss the land-related concerns. As far back as 2012, the matter was before the courts, and the affected parties were encouraged to use legitimate and lawful avenues to pursue their claims.
It is however instructive to state that all my previous efforts aimed at bringing the matter to rest was unfruitful because I was informed by the people involved then that it is not the responsibility of a Member of Parliament to fight over lands on behalf of Constituents.
The duties and responsibilities of an MP are clearly defined by law and do not include physically confronting persons or engaging in violent disputes over land.
An MP can, however, assist Constituents through the appropriate government institutions and legal structures when there are allegations of encroachment or other land-related challenges.
The fight to protect the interests of the people of Gomoa Central and their legitimate claims to land may rightly be a priority, but it is not the responsibility of an MP to personally fight over the land.
Land matters involving traditional ownership and customary boundaries must be addressed through the appropriate traditional, administrative and judicial channels.
We therefore urge chiefs, community leaders, the Lands Commission, the security agencies and the courts to continue working within their respective mandates to resolve the matter.
I further caution all citizens of Gomoa Central against taking the law into their own hands. No land is worth the loss of human life.
We appeal to all parties to sheathe their weapons, refrain from provocation and allow the appropriate institutions to handle the dispute.
Let us choose dialogue over violence, law over vigilantism, and peace over conflict.
Signed
Hon. Rachel Appoh
Former Member of Parliament
Gomoa Central Constituency
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