A traditional festival in the Eastern Region turned violent Wednesday when gunfire erupted during a ceremony in Ahwerease, leaving one person dead and four others injured, according to local authorities.

Police said 34 suspects have been detained in connection with the shooting, which occurred amid a dispute between two traditional leaders over ceremonial rights at the annual Odwira Festival. Officers recovered a pump-action shotgun and a pistol from the scene.

The violence reportedly began after Nana Semenhyia Asakrofa, the Abokomahene of the Asona Family, performed a customary rite to lift the ban on drumming and noise-making — an act that marks the official start of the Odwira Festival. The ritual was challenged by the Abimuhene of Ahwerease, who claimed authority over the ceremony.

The disagreement quickly escalated, leading to gunfire by some attendees. Four individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and one later died from injuries, police said.

Superintendent Ebenezer Tetteh, spokesperson for the Eastern Regional Police Command, confirmed the incident and said the weapons recovered would form part of the ongoing investigation. “The police are committed to maintaining peace and ensuring the perpetrators face the full rigors of the law,” he said.

The Odwira Festival, celebrated annually by the Akuapem people, is one of Ghana’s most significant traditional events, symbolizing purification and renewal. This year’s festivities, however, have been overshadowed by the violence — a rare but troubling flare-up in a region known for its strong cultural heritage and generally peaceful celebrations.

Source:TheDotNews