Kumasi police on red alert ahead of Eid-Ul-Fitr celebrations

The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has served notice security will be on high alert, especially at the Zongo areas of Kumasi during the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr as tension builds up in the Muslim community.

The police said information reaching them have it that the locals are feuding over who is qualified to play leading roles in the performance of the “gangara” rituals.

According to REGSEC, it had picked up information that factions in the chieftaincy crisis at the Zongo were preparing to attack each other over the performance of the gangara, a situation that demanded proactive measures to protect lives and property.

The gangara is a special celebration performed after the morning prayers of Eid-Ul-Fitr.

It is highly cherished by the Muslim community. During the celebration recognized chiefs of the recognized ethnic groups in the Zongo communities mount horses and go on processions in the streets with their subjects.

Spokesman for the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Francis Dodovi, told graphic.com.gh Friday that security information had it that some non-recognised chiefs were preparing to mount horses in contravention of Islamic norms and tradition.

Consequently, the REGSEC went into an emergency meeting Thursday at which it decided that only the Sarkin Zongo and other recognised chiefs would be allowed to celebrate the gangara.

The Kumasi Zongo had seen some violent clashes relating to chieftaincy in the past.

Even though the situation had been controlled in recent years, there appeared to be an uneasy calm in the area in the days leading to the Eid-ul-Fitr.

Consequently, Mr Dodovi said, the REGSEC had no option but to ensure that peace was maintained for a successful celebration of the Islamic festival.