Six arrested after New Winneba violence leaves three dead, 20 wounded

Six people have been arrested following violence in New Winneba in the Central Region that left three people dead and about 20 others wounded.

Additional police personnel and two armoured vehicles have been deployed to the community as authorities seek to prevent further attacks and identify those responsible.

Central Regional Minister Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah appealed for calm after visiting injured victims at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital.

He said authorities had not identified any particular faction as responsible and urged residents and affected groups to allow the police to complete their investigations.

“Let’s not take the law into our own hands,” Mr Eduamoah said. “We ask the various groups to calm down as the police go ahead with their investigation.”

He added that residents’ grievances would be heard and that authorities would

work to restore peaceful coexistence in the community.

Mr Eduamoah, who chairs the Central Regional Security Council, said 12 of the injured people had been discharged from hospital, while eight remained for further medical investigations.

“Unfortunately, we lost three people and about 20 people were seriously wounded,” he said.

The minister expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and said the authorities would take the necessary steps to restore and maintain peace.

The violence is believed to be connected to a land dispute, according to accounts from residents, who have reported rising tensions and attacks in parts of New Winneba.

Police have not publicly confirmed the precise cause of the violence or identified any group as being responsible, based on the information available.

Investigations are continuing as the additional officers reinforce security in New Winneba and surrounding communities.