The Accra Regional Police Command has launched an investigation into violent clashes that marred the climax of the annual Homowo Festival at Anyaa and Suwutuom on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
According to a statement signed by Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Region, preliminary investigations revealed that the violence erupted following a misunderstanding between followers of two rival chiefs during the sprinkling of the traditional food, kpokpoi.
The altercation quickly escalated into an exchange of gunfire.
The situation intensified when some attendees attempted to leave the festival grounds, sparking further attacks at nearby Olebu.
“Sadly, three persons—Abubakar Ramadan Sarbah alias Nii Kwashiebu, Theophilus Nili Amu Kwadjan, and Joseph Shaibu Dodoo—lost their lives in the violence,” Supt. Obeng stated.
She added that four others, identified as Enoch Amevor (treated and discharged), Samuel Adjel, Nathaniel Doku, and Frederick Lartey alias N Obralfour, sustained varying degrees of injury and are receiving treatment at medical facilities including the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital.
The bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Supt. Obeng further disclosed that additional police personnel have been deployed to the affected communities to restore calm and maintain law and order, while intelligence-led operations are underway to track down and arrest those behind the disturbances.
The Command also issued a stern caution to traditional leaders, elders, and their supporters to strictly adhere to agreed security arrangements during such events, stressing that any acts that threaten public peace will not be tolerated.