Accra: The Ghana Police Service has urged the elders and residents of Teshie in Accra to comply with the court order restraining them from holding any form of outdoor event in relation to the Homowo Festival. At a meeting with the various youth groups earlier Saturday, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Emmanuel Baah, the Kpeshie Divisional Commander, admonished residents to obey the restraining order in the interest of public peace.
According to Ghana News Agency, ACP Baah explained that the decision was arrived at following various engagements by the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) with the Chiefs and Elders, and relevant stakeholders, emphasizing that securing an injunction against the celebration was in the best interest of the community. He elaborated that the Chief, Clan heads, and all interested parties had been served with a copy of the restraining order and urged the youth groups to comply.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Obed Dzikunu, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Commander, expressed sympathy with the youth, stating that while the police did not predetermine the injunction of the celebration, it had become necessary to ensure the preservation of lives and property. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing public peace and safety over festival celebrations, noting that lives lost during such events cannot be restored.
DCOP Dzikunu further warned that the police would arrest and prosecute anyone found violating the directives. The injunction was deemed necessary following violent clashes on Wednesday, August 26, during the sprinkling of the traditional Kpokpoi between the Gbugblah and Lenshie clans, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a child.
To address these issues, the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) engaged all relevant stakeholders to agree on guidelines for the remaining activities of the festival. Despite some disagreements during the meeting, it was resolved that MUSEC would engage the various factions to reach an amicable solution. However, due to the escalation of events, the police secured an injunction against the Teshie Traditional Council and six others, preventing them from holding any form of outdoor events on August 30 and 31.
The six entities include the Teshie Council of Elders, and the Heads of the Gbugblah, Lenshie, Agbawe, Krobo, and Kle clans. The court document, as reported by the Ghana News Agency, stated that all outdoor and public events related to the Teshie Homowo Festival, which are not traditional rites and compromise public defense, order, safety, and health, are restrained from occurring.
