Two people have reportedly died and several others sustained injuries following a violent clash in Sowutuom on Saturday, August 30, during the annual Homowo festival.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity, the violence broke out when residents of Dwenewoho attempted to perform the traditional Kpokpoi sprinkling ritual in Sowutuom—an act that was reportedly resisted by local traditional authorities.
Tensions quickly escalated into chaos, with multiple reports of gunfire heard across the area.
“Right after the Chelsea game, we heard gunshots from the junction. For almost 30 minutes, bullets were flying everywhere,” one eyewitness recounted. “The Sowutuom people insisted Dwenewoho had no right to sprinkle Kpokpoi here, but they went ahead anyway. That sparked the whole fight.”
Among the deceased, according to eyewitnesses, are the Obrafor (a traditional leader) of Sowutuom and the son of the local chief. While several injuries were reported, the exact number of casualties remains unclear.
One resident described how heavily armed individuals stormed the area, forcing shop owners to shut down and residents to flee.
“About five of them came in with serious guns—shooting in all directions. One man they were chasing ran into my shop. He later stepped outside and was shot,” the eyewitness said.
Police were later deployed to restore order. However, as of Sunday, many shops remained closed amid fears of renewed violence.
The Homowo festival, observed annually by the Ga people, is meant to celebrate the end of famine and a successful harvest season. Central to the festivities is the sprinkling of Kpokpoi, a traditional dish symbolizing abundance and gratitude. However, disputes over territorial rights for performing the ritual have led to clashes in some communities.
A similar incident was reported in Teshie, where two people also lost their lives following violent confrontations during this year’s celebrations.
