What began as a sacred ritual to lift the ban on noise making ahead of the Odwira Festival turned chaotic in Aburi on Wednesday, October 22.
A disagreement between two traditional authorities — the Abokomahene of the Asona family, Nana Semenyia Akrofa, and the Bemuhene of Ahwerease — over who should lead the ceremony, quickly spiralled into violence.
As tempers flared, some youth at the scene began firing gunshots, leaving four people injured. One was later pronounced dead. The others are being treated at the Aburi Hospital.
Police have since arrested 34 suspects and launched investigations into the deadly incident, Superintendent Ebenezer Tetteh of the Eastern Regional Police Command confirmed.
Thanks to swift police intervention, peace has returned to the area after the violent confrontation. Thirty-four people are now in custody at the Aburi Police Station, helping with ongoing investigations. Two firearms — a pump-action gun and a pistol — were seized during the operation.
Superintendent Ebenezer Tetteh assured the public that the police will pursue justice fully once the investigation wraps up.
“This is to serve as a deterrent to others who may be bent on fomenting trouble and creating problems during this year’s Odwira Festival. The police will ensure that nobody takes the law into their own hands, and the security of the area will be maintained before, during, and after the festival.” Superintendent Tetteh cautioned.
“We are going to ensure that any miscreant who attempts to cause trouble is quickly arrested and dealt with according to the law. We want to assure everyone that peace will be maintained so that people can go about their activities without fear or hindrance.” He added.
Lack of clear guidelines raises the possibility of accidents and fatalities during these festivities. According to Ahwererase Osiahene Nana Owusu Anakwah Ntow, who confirmed the occurrence, traditional authorities have taken action to bring about enduring peace in the region.
“We are engaging all stakeholders to ensure calm is maintained and to prevent a recurrence of such incidents especially us we celebrate the Odwira festival,” He said.
While residents of the Ahwerease township continue to live in shock, an uneasy peace has returned. To prevent retaliatory attacks, Samuel Anoff Agyiri, the assemblyman for the Oware Ahwerase electoral area, has urged for a calm Odwira festival and increased police presence.
