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Afenyo-Markin calls for calm after deadly New Winneba clash
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called for calm and restraint following the invasion of the New Winneba community which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries.
In a statement issued on Thursday September 17, the MP described the violence that followed the invasion as deeply troubling.
Mr Afenyo-Markin extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He commended the Ghana Police Service for what he described as their prompt response, professional conduct and sustained efforts to restore order and protect lives and property in the area.
The Effutu MP warned that continued tension risks further bloodshed, destruction of property and lasting damage to the relationship between Effutu and Gomoa.
“At this difficult moment, what we need most is calm and restraint. I appeal to all sides, particularly the youth, to refrain from any action that could further escalate the situation,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed that no piece of land is worth a single human life, noting that Effutu and Gomoa have for generations lived as neighbours, intermarried and traded with one another.
“Our ancestors bequeathed us a shared heritage of peace, love and coexistence,” he added.
While maintaining that historical records and judicial determinations have consistently affirmed the rightful claim of the Effutu people to the New Winneba lands, the MP said the path forward must rest on dialogue, the rule of law and mutual respect.
He said land disputes of that nature are best resolved through the Lands Commission, the courts and structured traditional engagement, but never through force or confrontation.
“Effutu’s legitimate interests must be protected. Gomoa’s legitimate concerns must be heard. But neither should be allowed to become a victim of violence,” he stated.
Describing himself as a son of both communities, Mr Afenyo-Markin said he has a solemn duty to speak with care and measured wisdom.
“We owe a duty to those who have lost their lives, to those who have been injured and to the generations yet unborn to ensure that this painful incident does not define the future relationship between our two communities,” he said.
He called on both sides to protect their people, respect one another, uphold the rule of law and pursue dialogue in resolving their differences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Sammy Ayeh has picked up nomination forms to contest for the position of Deputy National Communications Officer position.
Announcing his intention, Dr. Ayeh said he is offering himself to help communicate the party’s vision clearly and connect its message with the aspirations of Ghanaians.
He expressed deep gratitude to the party’s National Communications Officer, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, describing him as an able leader on whose shoulders he has risen.
“His exceptional leadership, mentorship and confidence in me have shaped my journey and strengthened my resolve to serve,” Dr. Ayeh stated.
He said if elected, he will seek to build on that foundation by strengthening research-driven communication, empowering grassroots communicators, and enhancing strategic media engagement.
Dr. Ayeh humbly appealed to party members and supporters for their support.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Data Protection Commission has called on the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JoyNews and other media houses to protect the personal information of 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Commission expressed concern over the public disclosure of the evacuees’ personal details, including their names, signatures and records of financial assistance received.
It warned that making such information public could expose the affected individuals to identity theft, fraud and other forms of harm, especially given the threats to their safety that some of them may have faced.
The Commission explained that the 1992 Constitution protects the dignity and privacy of every individual. It also cited the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), which sets out rules for the lawful collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
While acknowledging the importance of transparency, parliamentary oversight, the right to information and press freedom, the Commission stressed that these principles do not automatically justify the unrestricted publication of personal details.
It said the disclosure of the records by the Minority Caucus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JoyNews and other media organisations must be assessed based on the law, the purpose of the disclosure and the privacy rights of the individuals involved.
The Commission further noted that although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament are registered data controllers in good standing, their registration does not exempt them from their legal responsibilities under the Data Protection Act.
It has therefore urged all the parties involved to take appropriate steps to protect the affected individuals, including immediately restricting access to or removing personal details from publicly available records where their continued disclosure is not legally justified.
The Commission announced plans to conduct a regulatory review to determine whether the disclosures had a lawful basis, what safeguards were applied and whether the privacy rights of the evacuees had been adequately protected.
It said it would engage the relevant parties as part of the review and take appropriate regulatory action if any breach of the law is established.
The Commission reiterated that protecting personal information and respecting human dignity must remain central to efforts to promote public accountability.
By: Jacob Aggrey
