Hohoe communal violence committee presents report

A 10-member committee tasked to investigate the June 11, 2012 communal violence in Hohoe, Thursday presented its report to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC).

Mr Justice Patrick Baayeh, a Ho High Court Judge who chaired the committee, said the committee sat for 33 days and took evidence from 132 people.

He described the committee's works as “tedious” and was hopeful the implementation of its findings would bring lasting peace to the area.

Mr Henry Ametepe, Caretaker Minister for the Volta Region, commended the committee for its commitment towards lasting peace in Hohoe.

He, however, lamented the death of the late Volta Regional Minister, Mr Henry Ford Kamel, who he described as the “right person to receive the report” due to his commitment to the peace process.

Mr Ametepe said the report would be forwarded to the President and assured that its recommendations would be implemented for peace to prevail in the area.

Communal clashes broke out between the indigenes of Gbi and some youths from Hohoe-Zongo, stemming from a misunderstanding of burial of an Imam and some other related events after which the youths from Hohoe-Zongo allegedly mobilized to vandalise the Palace of Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area.

Reprisal attacks from the Gbis led to the torching and destruction of Muslim businesses leading to imposition of curfew.

Government on October 17, 2012 inaugurated the committee to investigate the disturbances and alleged human rights abuses by security personnel among others.

The curfew has since been lifted.