Teshie Mantse condemns violence at Homowo festival: ‘Our traditions have been desecrated’

The Paramount Chief and President of the Teshie Traditional Council, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, has condemned the killing of three young men and called for justice and unity in the face of what he described as a “complete desecration” of the age-old customs of the people of Teshie.

Three individuals were killed and several others sustained injuries following violent clashes during the Homowo Kpokpoi Sprinkling Ceremony in the Teshie Traditional Area on Tuesday, August 26.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, September 3, the Teshie chief expressed deep sorrow over the violent clashes that erupted during the Kpokpoi-shwãmɔ ceremony, an integral part of the Homowo celebrations resulting in the death of three young men.

“Last week, the Teshie Kpokpoi-shwãmɔ event, which has always been an occasion for joy and merrymaking, was turned into an arena for rioting with offensive weapons, leading to the unfortunate death of three young men,” Nii Akomfra stated.

Fear and Panic Replace Festive Spirit

The Mantse noted that the violence not only disrupted the sacred festival but also plunged the entire community into fear, panic and economic uncertainty.

“This tragic event has completely destroyed the charm and economic potential of the entire Teshie Homowo Festival 2025,” he said. “As traditional leaders, we share in the pain and grief of the bereaved families and extend our deepest condolences to them.”

In the lead-up to the festival, the Traditional Council reportedly intercepted intelligence suggesting a possible plan to incite violence.

A formal alert was sent to the relevant security agencies, who, according to Nii Akomfra, gave assurances that adequate measures would be put in place to safeguard the celebrations.

“Based on these assurances, we sent out invitations to our patrons and families in Aflao-Teshie, Lome and elsewhere to join us for the Kpokpoi and ŋɔɔwala ceremonies,” he said.

However, on the day of the event, just as the celebrants gathered in the palace to share the sacred meal, the unthinkable happened.

“My palace was invaded by gunshots, volleys of stones, and shards of broken bottles. The very person who carried my kpokpoi for the sprinkling ceremony came limping into the palace with a bleeding gunshot wound on his leg.”

“Absurd Accusations Must Be Dismissed”

Nii Akomfra also took the opportunity to firmly dismiss what he called “absurd accusations” suggesting that he had orchestrated the attack himself.

“Every Ghanaian in his right-thinking senses will dismiss the accusation that I, in my capacity as Teshie Paramount Chief, masterminded an attack on my own subjects and guests,” he said. “It is shameful and defamatory.”

He extended a heartfelt apology to all those who were traumatised by the incident, particularly invited guests and dignitaries from other regions.

Traditions Disrespected by Militant Display

Central to the Mantse’s concerns was the blatant disregard for traditional dress codes and customs during Homowo.

The festival, deeply rooted in ancestral worship and sacred symbolism, is traditionally celebrated in white, a colour symbolising peace and spiritual purity.

“Tettey Laakpa, the patron deity of Homowo, is always clad in white. It is a taboo to appear in red a symbol of war during the festivities,” he explained.

Yet this year, he recounted, a large contingent of militants dressed in red and escorted by “okada” riders in red headbands stormed the town.

This, he says, was a deliberate provocation and a direct attack on the cultural identity of Teshie.

“Some of these individuals were captured in videos circulating during the disturbances. This is not our tradition.”

A Call for Unity and Justice

While minor skirmishes during Homowo celebrations are not entirely uncommon, typically resulting in nothing more than exchanged blows and quick reconciliations, Nii Akomfra underscored that this year’s violence crossed a dangerous line.

“We hereby condemn in no uncertain terms the institutionalisation of guns, cutlasses, cudgels, stones and other offensive weapons into Teshie Homowo culture and tradition,” he said.

The Traditional Council is demanding that the security services treat the deaths as a high-profile homicide case and act decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We further demand that the culprits be brought to book without fear or favour,” he stated. “Nobody has the right to shed innocent blood.”

In a rallying cry to the people of Teshie, Nii Akomfra urged unity in the face of grief, encouraging residents to work together to identify those behind the attack.

“Let the pain of these tragic murders be a social glue that will bind us together as one people with a common destiny,” he said.

The Mantse also made an appeal for anyone with relevant evidence be it documents, videos, or eyewitness accounts to come forward and assist the police with ongoing investigations.

Assurance to the Bereaved

Nii Akomfra closed his remarks with a solemn promise to the families of the deceased and to all Teshimei:

“Let all Teshimei, especially the bereaved families, be rest assured that the institutions of state will not rest until the killers are found and brought to book.”

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