Four reported dead, several injured as rival factions clash during Omanjor Homowo

The annual Homowo festival in Omanjor, located in the Greater Accra Region, erupted into violence on Saturday, August 30, 2025, when a traditional kpoikpoi sprinkling ceremony was interrupted by a confrontation between rival factions, leading to multiple injuries, including that of a police officer.

Reports obtained by GhanaWeb indicate that the altercation, which arose from a disagreement over the sanctioned route for the ritual, resulted in three individuals being shot, with unverified reports suggesting fatalities, and a police superintendent being physically assaulted.

The Homowo festival is a vital cultural celebration for the Ga people, symbolizing renewal and harvest, and features the ceremonial sprinkling of kpoikpoi, a traditional dish made from maize.

Sources indicate that the Omanjor community did not follow the designated route approved for the ritual, which led to a confrontation with a rival group from Sowutuom.

Homowo celebration turns violent as four reported dead, several injured in clash

The Sowutuom group, armed and determined to stop the ceremony, reportedly opened fire, injuring three individuals amid the chaos.

The situation is said to have escalated rapidly, overwhelming the police presence at the location.

A police superintendent was reportedly attacked by the mob, sustaining injuries in the process.

This clash on Saturday follows a long-standing dispute between the Omanjor and Sowutuom communities regarding land boundaries and ritual routes, which has previously sparked tensions during cultural festivities.

Local authorities had attempted to mediate the situation by designating specific routes for the Homowo celebrations.

According to a journalist present at the scene, he and other colleagues caught in the violent clash are currently in hiding, awaiting police reinforcements for their rescue.

Videos reviewed by GhanaWeb depict individuals with varying degrees of injuries from suspected gunfire and stones thrown at them.

In the meantime, several of the injured have been transported to the hospital for urgent medical care.

By DeStoryNews