Hohoe violence: Chief Imam calls for ceasefire

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuru Shaributu, has launched a rather passionate appeal to Muslims in the Volta Region, especially those in Hohoe to exercise restraint and tolerate their brothers from other ethnic groups, following the escalation of violence in the area.

Chaos erupted in the Hohoe township following the exhumation of the body of the Chief Imam, Alhaji Alhassan. His exhumation sparked ethnic clashes between members of the Zongo community and the indigenes with some Muslims blocking key roads amidst an arson attack on the palace of the chief of Hohoe.

Togbe Gabusu's palace was razed down by the irate Muslims who demanded the exhumed body of their Chief Imam.

Some unknown persons exhumed the body of the Chief Imam of the Muslim community in area after the Chief of Hohoe earlier prevented the Muslims in the community from burying the Imam citing some indiscipline acts on the part of the Muslims.

After several discussions between the Chief of Hohoe and the Muslim community, the Muslims were allowed to bury the Chief Imam.

However, the anger of the muslim youth knew no bounds when they realized on Monday that the body of their Chief Imam had been exhumed from his grave, sparking demonstrations in the town.

According to PeaceFM's Volta Regional correspondent, Baba Adams, the Ewe indigenes then went on the rampage destroying stalls and shops owned by the Zamarama people.

An all-out attack ensued as the Zongo community destroy some facilities at the Hohoe hospital and threatened to attack the Agric Development Bank forcing the police to barricade the hospital.

Residents of Peki reportedly marshaled forces to come to the aid of their allies in Hohoe against the Zongo community.

As the day wore on, the clashes in the Hohoe municipality took a different twist as it spilled over into residences leading to women and children fleeing the area.

Reports say several women most of them with their children packed their luggage and stood by the road side waiting for the next available vehicle to escape the violence.

As events took a turn for the worse, military personnel from the 66 Artillery Regiment were deployed in the area to maintain calm whiles investigations into the incident commences.

The Volta Regional Minister, Henry Ford Kamel, later paid a visit to the township and held closed doors meetings with the Paramount Chief of the Hohoe Traditional Area, Togbega Gabusu.

Speaking to Shamima Muslim on Citi Eye Witness News, the National Chief Imam expressed his condolence to the bereaved family and advised Ghanaians to exercise patience and also learn to live in peace and harmony witheach other.

Meanwhile, a dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed on Hohoe in the Volta region following clashes.

Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Henry Ford Kamel, made the confirmation a short while ago.

“We made the recommendation to the Minister of Interior and National Security and that has been approved...It’s appropriate we take this action because the intelligence we are gathering is not very positive. We need to save lives and property. The curfew is most appropriate intervention to assess the situation so that the security can take full control to ensure everybody is safe...Security has been beefed up in Hohoe. More policemen have arrived from Accra and have strategically positioned themselves. We have had discussions with both sides and with the chief and his elders. We have appealed to their sense of judgment,” Hon. Kamel told CitiFM.

In a related development, four people are reported to have died from clashes though their deaths are yet to be independently confirmed by the Police and local authorities.

One of the victims, a 15 year old boy, was killed instantly after a stray bullet hit him in the head. His body has been deposited at the Hohoe Hospital morgue.