The mortal remains of two brothers, Pascal, 25, and Bright, 16, who were casualties of the Hohoe communal clashes, have been laid to rest at the weekend.
The Butah brothers, natives of Gbi-Bla, suburb of Hohoe, died in crossfire when security personnel fired into a crowd after missiles were allegedly hurled at their convoy during the communal disturbances in the area in June, this year.
A third casualty, Mr Anthony Kumah Abiti, native of Wli in the Hohoe Municipality, who survived the shot in the groin, is said to be recuperating after a surgery.
Preaching the sermon at the burial and memorial service at the Saint Augustine Parish, Hohoe, Reverend Father Emmanuel Amedzi, Chaplain of Saint Paul’s Senior High School, Denu, reminded the mourners that every step on earth was a journey to the Promised Land, guaranteed through death.
He said mankind reference to such events like accidents, misfortunes and unexpected deaths but Christ who believes in God says “this is blessing.”
Rev Amedzi said the greatest tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes was living once again in peace and harmony in the Municipality insisting that “When God counts our iniquities, no one can withstand it.”
“In spite of the anguish, grief and wailing, it is possible to forgive and leave in peace,” reminding that “We are called into life’s patience, mutual endurance, humility, kindness and love.”
Right Rev Francis A. Lodonu, Catholic Bishop of Ho-Diocese appealed to Chiefs and elders to assist in consoling their subjects, especially the youth on the unfortunate event to forgive and make peace.
He said developments around the globe including Libya, Syria and Somalia started on a smaller scale escalating into gargantuan gravity against mankind. Bishop Lodonu pledged the Church would play its part in peace building measures but justice must be reached.
Government gave an amount of GH¢20,000 towards the planning and execution of the funeral, security and other exigencies.
Meanwhile, wailing youths and mourners besieged the family house and community centre to pay their last respect to the fallen heroes amidst chants of war songs, dirges, and borborbor music. Even though the atmosphere was charged, it did not record any adverse incident as security was beefed up to contain any eventuality.
The next phase towards the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the area would be the inauguration of fact-finding and mediation committee to delve into the impasse and make recommendations to government.
The communal clashes broke between the indigenes of Gbi and some youths from Hohoe Zongo stemming from a misunderstanding of burial of an Imam and earlier electrocution of a Muslim boy, after which the youths mobilized to vandalise the Palace of TogbegaGabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area.
Repulsive attacks from the Gbis led to torching and destruction of Muslim businesses in the area leading to imposition of curfew to date with economic activities bouncing back forcefully after peace gestures.
Copyright © 1994 - 2024 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
