The climax of this year’s Homowo Festival at Sowutuom and Anyaa in Accra was marred by violence on Saturday, leaving three people dead and several others injured.
The Accra Regional Police Command reported that the chaos broke out during the sprinkling of kpokpoi, the festival’s traditional meal, when factions loyal to two rival chiefs clashed. The confrontation quickly escalated into gunfire and machete attacks, disrupting the celebrations.
The deceased have been identified as Abubakar Ramadan Sarbah, also known as Nii Kwashiebu; Theophilus Nii Amu Kwadjan; and Joseph Shaibu Dodoo. Their remains are being preserved at the Police Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.
Four others — Enoch Amevor, Samuel Adjei, Nathaniel Doku, and Frederick Lartey, alias Nii Obrafour — suffered gunshot wounds and machete cuts. Police confirmed that Amevor has since been discharged, while the other three are receiving critical treatment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital.
Security has since been reinforced in Sowutuom, Anyaa, and Olebu, with police carrying out intelligence-led operations to track down those responsible.
The Regional Command has urged traditional leaders and their supporters to adhere to agreed security arrangements and avoid actions that could spark further unrest.
