MCE Samuel Morton and MP Afenyo-Markin Lead Peace Efforts Amid Chieftaincy Tensions and Fatal Land Disputes

The Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) and key Members of Parliament have launched urgent interventions to address a series of security crises across Ghana, ranging from volatile chieftaincy disputes to deadly land unrest. In Kpone, Municipal Chief Executive Samuel Tetteh Kwashie Morton has convened emergency sessions to mediate between three factions vying for leadership, while in the Effutu-Gomoa area, MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin and MP Kwame Asare-Obeng (A-Plus) are calling for calm following a violent land dispute that claimed three lives. These developments coincide with a broader government push for accountability, as the Ministry of Works and Housing issues stern warnings to contractors regarding stalled national drainage projects.

In Kpone-Katamanso, the security situation remains delicate as MUSEC monitors three distinct groups attempting to install their preferred chiefs. During an emergency meeting involving heads of various security agencies, MCE Morton emphasized that any installation must strictly follow traditional and legal protocols to avoid public disorder. To prevent escalation, a follow-up meeting with representatives from all three factions has been scheduled for September 10, 2026. Morton warned that the assembly would not tolerate actions that jeopardize the peace of the municipality and urged all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue over confrontation.

The call for peace is echoed in the Effutu-Gomoa area, where a land dispute on September 1, 2026, resulted in three fatalities and 15 arrests. In a rare show of unity, Effutu MP Afenyo-Markin and Gomoa Central MP A-Plus released a joint video message pledging to seek justice for the victims while urging residents to refrain from further violence. A-Plus raised specific concerns regarding allegations of police brutality during the incident, while both leaders committed to visiting the affected communities to restore confidence in the local administration. This emphasis on safety extends to the media, with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) recently condemning a military assault on Adom FM reporter Obrempongba Benjamin Kwame Owusu during NPP constituency elections in Nkwanta South, further highlighting the precarious security environment during political events.

Complementing these security measures, the Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim, has pivoted the government's focus toward infrastructural accountability. Minister Ibrahim announced a strict blacklisting policy for contractors who fail to meet performance standards or are absent during ministry monitoring of 66 ongoing dredging projects. This initiative aims to ensure that public funds effectively mitigate flooding risks, signaling that the government will no longer tolerate the failure of public contracts that impact the safety and well-being of citizens.

Collectively, these events underscore a critical period for local governance and national stability. Whether through the mediation of ancient chieftaincy rites in Kpone, the resolution of land-based violence in Gomoa, or the enforcement of professional standards in media and construction, the emphasis remains on the rule of law. Moving forward, the success of the September 10 mediation in Kpone and the results of the Ministry’s intensified project monitoring will serve as key indicators of the government’s ability to maintain order and deliver on its developmental promises.