Gomoa Wassah residents petition police in sub-chief assassination attempt­­

Citizens of Gomoa Waasa in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region have petitioned the Central Regional Police commander to re-arrest suspects who were arrested in an attempt to assassinate the Gomoa Waasa Gyasehene early this year.

“We, the chiefs, elders and citizens of Gomoa Wassah, respectfully submit this petition to formally draw your urgent attention to a pattern of violent conduct, intimidation and lawlessness that threatens peace, life, property and the integrity of traditional authority within Gomoa Wassah and surrounding Gomoa Assin communities.

“This petition is necessitated by repeated attempted physical attacks, persistent verbal and written insults against traditional leaders, the incitement of youth to violence and conduct that—if left unchecked—poses a serious risk of communal violence and loss of life,” it said.

Peaceful

The petition, dated February 3, 2026 and addressed to the Central Regional Police Commander, said that during a peaceful community Christmas/New Year celebration held at the Gomoa Wassah School Park on January 2, 2026, unknown individuals numbering about nine, including riders on three motorbikes, forcefully rushed into the venue.

Police officers on duty, it said, swiftly intervened and removed the suspects from the venue and upon a search, offensive implements, including scissors, were allegedly found on them.

“This incident caused panic, fear and a near stampede, narrowly avoiding a bloody confrontation,” it said and that “this was not an isolated incident”.

Attack

A prior attempted physical attack occurred during the installation of Nana Kwesi Essel-Okyeahene I as Gyaasehene of Gomoa Wassah, in which the suspect was allegedly the financier and mastermind, working through intermediaries, including one Joe Wassah.

“That criminal matter remains pending before the Dawurampong Divisional Police Command, further heightening public concern that repeated violence is being normalised without consequence,” it said and that during investigations, the suspect admitted in the presence of citizens, crime officers and CID officers that his actions were based on information received from Abeiku, Adoko and Joe Wassah.

“He claimed they informed him—falsely—that Nananom intended to destool his uncle, the Omankrado.

Admission

“Despite the gravity of the admission and the danger posed, the suspects were released under circumstances that shocked the community,” the petition said.

The people said they were deeply concerned by a deliberate effort to train and influence the youth to be violent, confrontational and disrespectful to elders and rewrite the history of Gomoa Wassah, undermining legitimate stools, families and traditional structures.

“If this behaviour is not firmly checked, it will inevitably result in violent clashes, destruction of property and possible loss of life,” it said, adding that the continued presence and emboldened conduct of the suspects—without decisive legal action—has created fear and panic, breakdown of social order, loss of respect for elders, dangerous perception that lawlessness is protected.