By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, Sept 11, GNA – The Teshie Traditional Council has called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those behind the Homowo clashes.
The clashes, which resulted from the Kpokpoi-shwamo (the sprinkling of the traditional food; Kpokpoi ) led to the death of three persons, including a child, and left many others injured.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday,Gbetsorlor Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, the Teshie Mantse, said the recurring clashes that accompanied the annual Festival did not only tarnish the image of the town but also undermined the cultural attraction and economic potential of the festival.
Condemning what he termed as “senseless killings,” Gbetsorlor Akomfra said the perpetrators of the crime must be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We, hereby, condemn in no uncertain terms the institutionalisation of guns, cutlasses, and other offensive weapons in the Teshie Homowo culture and tradition in recent times,” he said.
“We also condemn the senseless killing of innocent citizens in cold blood during the Kpokpoi sprinkling episode in Teshie”.
Gbetsorlor Akomfra, who demanded that the security agencies took up the matter as a high-profile homicide case to bring the culprits to book, said though the traditional council had earlier alerted the security agencies of the attack before the event, and were assured of adequate protection, the unexpected happened.
Refuting he allegedly orchestrated the attack,Gbetsorlor Akomfra said the allegations were not only absurd but illogical.
“I am also sure that every citizen in his right-thinking senses will dismiss the accusation that I, in my capacity as Teshie Mantse, had the shameless effrontery to master-mind an attack on my own people, stage-manage the shooting of my personal dish-carrier and also cause my loyalists to fire live bullets into my palace to endanger the lives of my special guests,” he said.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the clashes, Gbetsorlor Akomfra said traditionally the Teshie Homowo Festival was marked with an all-white attire, which symbolised peace and purity in honour of Tettey Laakpa, the patron deity.
However, he said, the tradition was violated when “a group of militants” dressed in red attire and escorted by “Okada” riders, entered the palace on the day of the Kpokpoisprinkling to cause the disturbances.
That, he said, was considered a taboo during the festival across some the Ga communities.
He rendered an apology to the Chiefs and people of Aflao-Teshie, Lome, all invited guests and the media for the traumatic experience caused by the disturbances.
Gbetsorlor Akomfra called for unity amongthe people in the face of the tragedy, and urged them to help identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He disclosed that the traditional council planned to establish an endowment fund to support the families of the deceased, including the education of their children.
In attendance were Nii Ashikwei Kwaobotwe II, the Teshie Dzaasetse; Nii Adjetey Okpye III, Shikiteeley; Nii Kotey Afutu Brempong III, Pantang Mantse; Shibulor Nii Martey Sanshie IV, Atofotse; and Nii Akpor Sowah, the Otsaame.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe