Vincent Lotsu arrested for cultivating cannabis along Volta Lake

Volta REGSEC closes Ho Central Mosque over leadership dispute

The Volta Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has ordered the immediate closure of the Ho Central Mosque following an escalation of violence between two rival factions. The long-standing dispute centers on the legitimate claim to the position of the Volta Regional Imam, a conflict that has pitted supporters of Alhaji Anas against those loyal to Alhaji Muniru. The decision to shut down the landmark facility, which was originally inaugurated on March 24, 1994, was taken to prevent further physical confrontations and restore order within the Ho municipality. Tensions at the mosque reached a breaking point despite high-level interventions intended to broker a peaceful resolution. Mediation efforts involving both the Volta Regional Minister and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, proved unsuccessful in reconciling the warring groups. Reports indicate that further violence broke out even during the presence of the National Chief Imam, resulting in multiple injuries. The inability of the local Muslim leadership to reach a consensus has transformed the place of worship into a flashpoint for physical conflict, necessitating state intervention. The indefinite closure has left the Muslim community in Ho without its primary spiritual center and has heightened anxiety in the surrounding neighborhoods. Local leaders are calling for urgent action to resolve the impasse, as the mosque remains under security lockdown. REGSEC has indicated that the facility will remain inaccessible to the public until a definitive agreement is reached between the factions of Alhaji Anas and Alhaji Muniru to ensure the safety of residents and the preservation of public peace.