Trouble at Hohoe as Moslems torch paramount chief's palace

Socio-economic activities at Hohoe in the Volta Region has virtually come to a standstill with people staying indoors as rampaging Moslem youth burn houses, including the house of Togbega Gabusu VI, the Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area.

The youths reportedly ransacked the chief’s house first before setting it ablaze. They then moved to town burning and attacking individuals.

The latest trouble started Monday morning when the body of the Chief Imam buried at the weekend was reportedly exhumed and deposited at the outskirts of the town.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) correspondent who was on a vehicle going towards Hohoe reported that all roads to the town had been blocked thus halting vehicular traffic in and out of Hohoe.

A correspondent of Lorlonyo FM told the GNA on phone that it appeared the marauding Moslem youth had outnumbered the police personnel and so reinforcement was badly needed.

Moslems youths last week were reported to have attacked hospital staff, alleging that their negligence caused the death of a colleague.

The traditional authorities, angry at their action, banned the Moslem community from burying their dead on any Gbi (Hohoe) land.

However, a settlement was reached following the intervention of the National Chief Imam, some political leaders and security personnel.

The burial of the local Chief Imam later and its exhumation sparked the latest trouble.**