The Akuapem Awhirase Traditional Council has reassured the public that the area remains peaceful and secure for the upcoming climax of the Odwira Festival. The Council clarified that the recent violent altercation involving members of the Akuapem Awhirase Asona Royal Family was an isolated event that has been addressed by police intervention, bringing complete calm to the community.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Akuapem Awhiraseman Council, Michael Opoku, the chiefs and elders conveyed their sorrow over the tragic incident on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, which resulted in one fatality and left three others injured. The Asekyere family of Akuapem Awhirase extended their condolences to the affected families and the wider community, calling the incident “unfortunate and disappointing.”
The elders commend the Ghana Police Service for its swift intervention, which helped restore peace and order to the area. They further assured their full cooperation with the police in ongoing investigations and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and unity in the community before, during, and after the Odwira Festival. “We remain dedicated to ensuring a peaceful and successful Odwira Festival despite the recent misunderstanding within the Awhirase Asona Royal Family,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Police Command has arraigned the thirty-four (34) suspects, including six (6) chiefs, in connection with a violent incident that left one person dead and three injured. In a statement on Thursday, October 23, and signed by Superintendent Ebenezer Tetteh, Public Affairs Officer for the Command, the police said the suspects have been charged with rioting with offensive weapons and causing unlawful harm.
The clashes reportedly occurred during a traditional ritual to lift the ban on noise-making, marking the start of the Odwira Festival. The deceased, identified as Isaac Nana Kwasi, has been taken to the morgue for preservation and autopsy, while the injured victims are receiving treatment at the Aburi KOM Presbyterian Hospital.
Police recovered two weapons, a Umarex pistol (No. MP160407589) and a Cyborg Magnum Force pump action shotgun (No. 602-H25YT-516), along with four live and four spent cartridges from the scene.
According to the police, the situation in the area is now calm, with personnel maintaining a presence to ensure continued peace. “Police will like to assure the General Public that before, during and after the festival, everything will be done to ensure that people go about their activities with an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Police Command has made further arrangements for the peaceful climax of the Odwira festivals in Akuapem, which begins today, Friday.
In addition to the heavy deployment of police personnel to the Akropong township and the Durbar grounds before, during and after the celebrations, the Police say no weapon and live ammunition of any kind shall be permitted; all persons officially sanctioned to fire musketry shall be properly tagged and shall be identifiable at all times.
The Regional Police Command has advised all persons travelling to the Regional capital, Koforidua, and beyond to use the Ofankor, Pokuase to Nsawam road and the Dodowa-Somanya-Adukrom route to avoid the huge traffic that builds up on the Ayi-Mensah Aburi to Mamfe road.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
