Mamobi elders and Imams hold peace talks after violent NPP and NDC clash

Following a violent clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Mamobi in Accra at the weekend, which left two people shot and seven others injured, community chiefs, Imams, and opinion leaders convened a peace meeting on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

The meeting was aimed to restore calm and prevent any further violence after the incident, which occurred during a political keep-fit walk. 

Before the peace talks, the regional police command met with representatives from both political parties, pledging to prosecute those involved, especially those captured in video footage. 

Initially, the police considered banning political keep-fit walks in the area but instead opted to suspend these events for the upcoming weekend.

The suspension will remain in place as long as both parties commit to maintaining order among their supporters.

During the peace meeting, Sheikh Hussein Abdul Rahman, a prominent Imam in Mamobi, stressed the importance of unity and preserving the reputation of the community.

“We all grew up together. We just want to be proud of Mamobi, so it can open doors for the people here. We must make things better and protect the good name of our community,” he urged, expressing disappointment over the clash and its effect on the area’s image.

Sheikh Mohammed Zakaria Addo, another respected Islamic scholar in the area, emphasised the need for accountability to prevent repeat incidents. 

“If wrongdoers are not punished, they will do it again. We don’t want guns or knives causing tragedy in our community,” he stated, calling for stricter measures to ensure lasting peace and security.

Yussif Jajah, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso North, echoed the calls for peace, emphasising the need for sustainable calm in the constituency and beyond.

“We must ensure this never happens again. Our priority is maintaining peace in Ayawaso North and setting an example for the rest of the country,” he said, urging cooperation from all sides.

Alhaji Manaf Mohammed, a former NPP parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso North, expressed gratitude to the chiefs and Imams for their leadership in bringing the parties together and reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to peace. “Let’s work together to prevent such incidents from happening again and ensure a safe, inclusive, and democratic environment for all,” he urged.

In light of the upcoming 2024 elections, the community leaders expressed concern about the potential for rising tensions during campaign activities. 

They used the meeting to appeal to all stakeholders, especially the youth, to promote peace and avoid confrontations that could escalate into violence.

They also reiterated their commitment to working closely with the police and political leaders to ensure that Mamobi remains peaceful, despite the heated political climate surrounding the elections. 

Abdul Rahman Sorogo, the Mamobi Moshie Chief, reminded both the NDC and NPP of their shared ties and called for them to prioritise peace.

He suggested that both parties hold a joint peace walk with community leaders, symbolising unity and their commitment to fostering harmony in the area.

“We all bear responsibility for peace,” Chief Sorogo noted. “If we want to move forward as a community, we must prioritise dialogue over violence and remember that our shared future is more important than any political difference.”

The chiefs and religious leaders urged all parties involved to work together to avoid such confrontations in the future, stressing the need for unity in the community as tensions rise ahead of the 2024 elections.