The Nananom of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council in the Central Region have announced plans to petition President John Dramani Mahama over a longstanding administrative boundary dispute between the Gomoa Central and Effutu areas.
The decision follows the recent violent clash involving residents of Gomoa and New Winneba, which has heightened concerns among traditional authorities over the status and administration of communities within the disputed area.
According to the traditional council, the people of Gomoa are well aware of the traditional boundaries of their area and believe that some portions of land and communities currently administered under Effutu fall within what they consider to be the traditional jurisdiction of Gomoa.
Speaking to the media, the Apesemakahene of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council, Nana Okatakyi Idan Oprim IX, said the traditional authorities were taking steps to formally bring the matter before the government.
He said a petition addressed to President Mahama is currently being prepared, with the aim of seeking clarity on the administrative boundaries and finding a lasting solution to the dispute.
Nana Okatakyi Idan Oprim IX said the traditional council believes the boundary question must be properly addressed to prevent further tensions and potential conflicts between residents of the affected communities.
As part of their demands, the Nananom want the electoral administration of New Winneba to be reconsidered.
Nana Okatakyi Idan Oprim IX said they want voting and the collation of election results in New Winneba to be incorporated into the Gomoa Central electoral area rather than being administered under Effutu.
The traditional authorities contend that such an arrangement would better reflect what they consider to be the area’s traditional and administrative identity.
They are also calling for the community currently known as New Winneba to be renamed Gomoa, arguing that the area forms part of Gomoa Central.
The proposed renaming, according to the traditional council, is linked to its broader position that the area has historically been associated with Gomoa and should therefore be recognised accordingly.
The Nananom believe that government intervention is necessary to bring clarity to the disputed boundaries and help prevent future confrontations between residents.
The Apesemakahene expressed confidence that President Mahama would give serious consideration to their concerns once the petition is formally submitted.
He said the traditional council was taking the necessary steps to complete the petition before presenting it to the President.
The boundary dispute has gained renewed attention following the recent violence in the New Winneba area, which resulted in deaths and injuries and prompted the deployment of additional security personnel.
The Nananom’s planned petition is therefore expected to place the broader administrative and traditional boundary question before the government as authorities seek measures to prevent a recurrence of violence in the affected communities.
The traditional council maintains that a clear resolution of the boundary issue will be critical to promoting peace and ensuring harmonious relations between the people of Gomoa and Effutu.
Story by Joseph Cobbina
