Elders of The Abola Piam Tunma We family of Ga Mashie in the Greater Accra Region have appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohonu to arrest the key perpetrators involved in a deadly shootout during the 2025 Omanjor Homowo festival in the Ga North Municipality.
According to the elders, despite any gains made by the Inspector-General of Police, he has failed to prioritise the arrest and prosecution of all key perpetrators connected to the deadly violence that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries during the Omanjor Kpokpoi Homowo festival sprinkling ceremony.
The visibly distressed elders expressed deep frustration over what they described as secret protection allegedly afforded to the main perpetrators, who they claim were linked to the shooting incident.
They pointed out that their own investigations revealed that the two suspects—Newton Allotey (26) and Christian Saka Ahianyevi (35)—who were arrested by the Ghana Police Service in the days following the violence are not the prime perpetrators of the heinous crime.5G network services
Although the police assured the public of their commitment to bringing all perpetrators to justice, seven months after the deadly incident, the elders say key suspects are still walking freely and allegedly fomenting trouble in the Ga State.
They warned that the persistent failure to prosecute all culprits could fuel further confrontations in the Ga State.
The elders lamented that those who were severely injured are still in critical condition, although they have been treated and discharged from the hospital.
The elders allege that the primary perpetrators, , are still at large and operating with impunity.
The elders expressed frustration that while two suspects—Newton Allotey (26) and Christian Saka Ahianyevi (35)—were arrested shortly after the incident, the alleged masterminds remain free.
The elders claim these key perpetrators are receiving “secret protection” and have continued to issue death threats against the Chief of Omanjor-Dwenewoho, Nii Ayitey Tackie I, and his elders.
They revealed that despite perpetrators being captured on video and evidence provided to the Ghana Police Service, key suspects remained free.
The elders urged the IGP to expedite investigations and arrest the remaining perpetrators to prevent further violence.
They insisted that swift justice is necessary to prevent further escalation of violence in the Ga state.
Addressing a crowded press conference in Accra, the Principal head of Abola Piam Tunma Family, Mr Benjamin Nii Mensah stated that the fear that the delay in arresting the main culprits could lead to further violence in the Ga State.
They pointed out that after the deadly incident occurred at Omanjor road curve, there had been several press conferences and videos coming from the key perpetrators purporting to shift blame and speak to the issues of ownership of Sowutuom lands.
“We dare to state that all these pres conferences and videos circulating in various social media platforms are only meant to distort historical facts or records,” the elders stated
This practice misrepresents known facts to favor one perspective, often minimizing atrocities or creating myths to boost a certain group’s standing
“As long as this deadly incident had not been put to rest, we the elders of the Abola Piam family continue to condemn in no uncertain terms, the unfortunate acts of violence that resulted in the untimely loss of innocent lives. Our condolences go to the bereaved families,” the elders stated.
Ownership of Sowutuom and Omanjor lands
The Abola Piam Tunma We family claimed the ownership of Sowutuom and Omanjor lands.
The Abola Piam Tunma We family of Ga Mashie claims to be the lawful owners and custodians of Sowutuom, Omanjor, and surrounding areas, citing High Court and Appeal Court decisions, such as in suit No: TRLD/45/10.
They asserted that these lands are not part of the Sempe Traditional Area.
“We wish to state categorically that historically and traditionally the entire Sowutuom community lands including Omanjor where the unfortunate incident occurred covering an area of 6,688.726 acres is a family land and not a stool land,” the elders clarified.
They cited a High Court (Land Division) judgment, affirmed by the Court of Appeal (Suit No: TRLD/45/10), to support their claim.
The family has specifically warned developers not to buy land from individuals acting as caretakers, stating that previous caretakership contracts in Omanjor are void.
According to the elders, they haven’t installed a substantive chief (Mantse) on the land of Sowutuom.
“The fact was that in the past the people were appointed as a caretaker on Sowutuom lands, saying that “one of whom was Atipoe Bittor, as caretaker of Omanjor-Dwenewoho community lands.”
They pointed out the Abola Piam Tunma Family announced the installation of Nii Ayitey Tackie I as the substantive chief of Omanjor-Dwenewoho, following the demise of the former caretaker, Atipoe Bittor.
According to reports, the family clarified the following points regarding the leadership of the area:
The elders have reaffirmed Nii Ayittey Tackie I as the only legitimate chief of Omanjor warning land developers against dealing with unauthorized individuals.
They issued a strong warning to the self-styled Chief of Sowutuom in the Ga Central Municipality, Nii Osabu Akwei I Nii Osabu Akwei also referred to as Nii Ofori Tibo Osabu Akwei Gbesange and his followers to stop their habit of attacking the integrity of Nii Ayitey Tackie I.
The elders of Abola Piam Tunma We were responding to the press conference on Monday February 24, 2026 being organised by Nii Osabu Akwei also and his associates to attack the chieftaincy integrity of Nii Ayitey Tackie I.
Warning Against Impostors
The elders publicly warned residents against dealing with individuals, whom they accused of falsely claiming chieftaincy, selling land illegally, and not being of Abola royal descent.
According to them, Nii Ayitey Tackie I has continued to operate in his capacity, recently issuing a response to self-styled Principal Secretary and Lawful Attorney of Asere Stool, Nii Ardey Ansah-Hill, who questioned his authority.
The situation remains complex, with the elders
maintaining Nii Ayitey Tackie I’s legitimacy amid ongoing disputes and security concerns in the area.
The elders denied wide spread allegations to the effect that the Omanjor chief is privately known as Salassie Goka,
According to them, there is no public record indicating that a person named Salassie Goka is the recognized Chief of Omanjor-Dwenewoho.
They maintained that “the private name Nii Ayitey Tackie I is not Salassie Goka as publicly being claimed by Sowutuom Mantse and his self seeking elders during their press conferences.
The Ga Traditional elders stated categorically that Nii Osabu Akwei and his followers “cooked up” a name—Salassie Goka.
They pointed out that this action exhibited by Nii Osabu Akwei and his followers was an calculated attempt ostensibly to create an impression that he is an Ewe by tribe, so that he didn’t qualify to be installed as a chief to ascend the throne of Omanjor.
Traditionally and historically, they stresed that Nii Osabu Akwei and his elders)followers have no ocus to challenge Nii Ayitey Tackie I’s chieftaincy status.
The assertion made by Nii Osabu Akwei and his associates that the Omanjor chief is just a social media imposter to delegitimize Nii Ayitey Tackie I.
However, the Abola Piam elders have strongly rejected the claims defended accusing Nii Osabu Akwei and his elders of peddling falsehoods and attacking their chief.
Backing their case, the elders stated that the viral claim being made in the current press conference by Nii Osabu Akwei and his followers that Nii Ayittey Tackie l and his elders defied the order of the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) warning them not to celebrate the 2025 Homowo Festival on Saturday August 30 2025.is certainly fabricated.
In a counter press conference held in Accra to respond to series of falsehood peddled by Nii Osabu Akwei chief and his elders during a press conference on Monday February 24, 2026, the Abola Piam elders flatly denied allegations suggesting that the Ga Traditional Council headed by Ga Mantse His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has supported the letter from the Greater Accra Regional Police Command of Ghana Police Service written to Nii Ayitey Tackie, cautioning him and his elders to stop sprinkling kpokpoi during 2025 year’s Homowo festival.
He rejected the accusations made by Nii Osabu Akwei and his elders in their controversial press conference held at the palace of Sowutuom Mantse, Nii Osabu Akwei I (also known as Nii Ofoli Akwei Tibu I).
The elders of Abola Piam Tunma provided documentary proof of a letter from the Ga Traditional Council headed by Ga Mantse His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II which retracted an earlier letter retraining him from performing this year’s Homowo festival at Omanjor-Dwenewoho community in Accra.
The one’-page letter bears the name of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs dated August 21,2025 which was headlined Retraction Of Omanjor And Afiaman From The Retraining Order reads in part” compliment from the Ga Traditional Council to your good office.
Signed by the Registrar of the Ga Traditional Council, Madam Evelyn Amewortse and coped to the Amasaman Divisional District Police Commander, the letter stated that “Reference is made to our letter dated August 12, 2025 seeking for police assistance to retain some villages from celebrating this year’s 2025 Homowo festival.
The letter pointed out “I have been directed by President of Ga Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru to inform you that the Council upon careful observation wishes to retract Omanjor from the list of villages that have been restricted.
It contended “The Ga Traditional Council on corporation and your dedication in maintaining peace and security within the Ga State.
The elders noted that the letter they had tendered to back their statement is completely attests to the clear cases of evidence that chief of Sowutuom and followers/elders are liars.
They stressed that the falsehood perpetrated by Chief of Sowutuom and his elders was the calculated attempts by them to cover up key perpetrators who had attacked Nii Ayitey Tackie I and his followers while they are performing traditional rites during the Homowo Festival ceremony at Omanjor.
They provided video evidence showing the men firing gunshots directly at Nii Ayitey Tackie I and the crowd, even with Sowutuom police presence nearby.
They directly linked the attack to Nii Ayitey Tackie refusal to succumb to pressure to place Omanjor under the jurisdiction of Nii Osabu Akwei I.
They firmly denied the violence was related to the chieftaincy and boundary disputes, clarifying that the two communities belong to separate traditional areas (Abola Piam and Sempe) and that their rituals were contained within their own township.
“It is very painful for the police officers in the Greater Accra Regional Police Command of Ghana Police Service to be acting, ostensibly to shield the prime suspects who have committed this deadly violence.
“Since this deadly incident occurred on Saturday August 30,2025 what evidence or fact do the police need again to arrest and prosecute the main suspects, involved in Omanjor Homowo bloody violence leading to the deaths of three persons and several others sustained critical injuries.
