The Ghana Police Service have taken seven individuals into custody after a series of violent confrontations erupted in New Winneba, located in Ghana’s Central Region, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 10:40 a.m. when a group of about 300 people from Gomoa Oguakrom, Gomoa Yenkuadze and Gomoa Pomadze allegedly entered New Winneba armed with guns, stones, cutlasses and sticks.
As reported by the law enforcement agency, the group engaged in an assault on residents, resulting in the destruction of shops, stores, and various properties within the vicinity.
The police have linked the violence to a longstanding land and boundary dispute involving communities in the Gomoa and Effutu areas, although the precise circumstances that triggered Tuesday’s confrontation remain under investigation.
The number of injured people has varied across early reports. The latest Police update cited by Citi Newsroom puts the figure at 17 injured, while the Ghana News Agency and other reports initially reported about 15 injured, including a police officer. The injured have been taken to medical facilities in Winneba for treatment.
Police officers from the Winneba Divisional Headquarters and Agona Swedru District Patrols were dispatched to manage the situation and mitigate the violence.
Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno has directed the deployment of extra security personnel from Police Headquarters to the area, which includes the provision of two armored vehicles.
Authorities have noted that calm has been reestablished; however, security personnel are still in place to avert any additional disturbances as investigations proceed.
The violence has also prompted calls for restraint. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin urged residents and political actors to avoid comments or actions that could worsen tensions surrounding the longstanding land dispute.
He also appealed against retaliatory attacks and called for the issue to be handled through peaceful means.
