The Ledzokuku Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) has confirmed a violent incident that disrupted the annual Kpokpoi sprinkling ceremony in the Teshie Traditional Area of Accra on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
The ceremony, which began peacefully around 6:00 a.m., saw the youth engage in their traditional early morning rituals of jogging, singing, and dancing. However, tensions escalated when rival groups clashed, leading to stone-throwing and sporadic gunfire.
Police personnel intervened swiftly to restore calm, but fresh violence broke out later in the morning between factions loyal to different traditional leaders.
Casualties and Victims Identified
According to MUSEC, several individuals sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to LEKMA Hospital and Family Health Hospital. Tragically, two victims, Eddy Blessing (30) and Patrick Maamah Martey Fio (27), were pronounced dead upon arrival. Another victim remains in critical condition, while others are undergoing treatment.
Family members gathered at the hospitals’ emergency units, creating tense scenes, but security forces and hospital staff managed to stabilize the situation. Authorities report that calm has now been restored in Teshie.
Investigations and Security Assurances
MUSEC has launched a full-scale investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the clashes. The council has assured the public that all individuals involved in the violence will face justice.
In a statement, the assembly urged residents and traditional factions to remain calm and to cooperate with the police to ensure peace and stability in the community.
“We appeal to all residents of Teshie to support ongoing investigations. Our goal is to guarantee lasting peace and prevent such tragic incidents in future celebrations,” MUSEC emphasized.
Background on the Homowo Festival
The Kpokpoi sprinkling ceremony is a central part of the Homowo Festival, celebrated by the Ga people to commemorate their triumph over famine. The ritual involves traditional songs, drumming, and the sprinkling of kpokpoi (a traditional meal made of maize and palm oil) to invoke blessings and ancestral protection.
Despite its cultural significance, this year’s ceremony has been overshadowed by the violent clashes that led to loss of life and injuries.
