Tensions Erupt in Ho Zongo Over Imam Endorsement

By Christian Ahodie Yaw Ho ZONGO VOLTA REGION

Tensions are rising in the Ho Zongo community in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region as youth and community leaders have vowed to resist any attempt by a faction of Muslims, led by Alhaji Ali Muniru, to organise prayers or lead any congregation at the Ho Central Mosque.
The youth say they do not recognise the recent endorsement of Alhaji Ali Muniru as the new Volta Regional Chief Imam and have issued a strong warning to him and his supporters to stay away from leading prayers in the community. According to them, the endorsement is illegitimate and does not follow Islamic tradition.

The endorsement of Alhaji Muniru was announced at the Palace of Togbe Afede with the support of the Asogli State and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council. However, the opposing faction has rejected the process outright, describing it as an imposition influenced by political and traditional authorities.

On Wednesday , scores of youth in the Ho Central Zongo, clad in red headbands and chanting war songs, staged a show of resistance, declaring their readiness to oppose the installation “with their last drop of blood.” They insisted they will not recognise Alhaji Muniru as Chief Imam and will prevent him from leading any religious activity at the mosque.

The youth also condemned what they describe as interference by political actors and traditional leaders in the Ho Zongo Imamate succession process. They have called on national authorities, including the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and state security agencies, to intervene immediately to prevent escalation.

The long-standing dispute dates back more than a decade following the death of the late Volta Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Hamza Danjuma. The unresolved succession has split the Muslim community in Ho and stalled development efforts within the Zongo communities for years.END