National Chief Imam Condemns Ho Mosque Shooting, Calls for Unity Amid Leadership Dispute

National Chief Imam Shaikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu has strongly condemned the shooting incident at the Ho Central Mosque on Friday, December 26, describing it as a grave violation of Islamic values and a threat to national security. The violence, which occurred during a leadership dispute over the Volta Regional Imamship, has raised urgent concerns about religious harmony and conflict resolution within Ghana's Muslim community.

In a statement issued Monday, December 29, the Chief Imam expressed deep concern that Muslims attacked fellow Muslims within a sacred place of worship. He characterized the incident as "an affront to Islamic sanctity, a deviation from basic civility, a tribute to outright impunity, and a serious threat to national security."

The shooting stemmed from an ongoing contest over the Volta Regional Imamship between Shaikh Ali Muniru and Shaikh Anas. The National Chief Imam reaffirmed that Shaikh Muniru is the legitimate Volta Regional Imam, while Shaikh Anas serves as his Deputy.

Shaikh Dr Sharubutu emphasized that Shaikh Muniru's selection resulted from extensive consultations and mediation efforts rather than imposition. He questioned why a matter he considers resolved continues to generate violence and division within the Muslim community.

Describing both religious leaders as his "children," the National Chief Imam said he expected unity, solidarity, and cordiality from them in their service to Allah and humanity. His statement reflects frustration that internal mediation processes have failed to prevent violent escalation.

The Chief Imam called on followers of both factions to remain law-abiding and peace-loving, in accordance with Islamic teachings and principles. He appealed specifically to the Ghana Police Service to act with fairness and impartiality in handling the matter, warning that selective justice would amount to injustice.

This appeal for even-handed law enforcement reflects concerns within religious communities about how authorities navigate disputes involving multiple claimants to leadership positions. The police have reportedly released 14 suspects from custody in connection with the incident, though details about their identities and the circumstances of their release remain unclear.

Shaikh Dr Sharubutu prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the shooting and reminded all parties of the Quranic injunction on unity and reconciliation. "The believers are brothers. So, make reconciliation between your brothers. And fear Allah, so that you may receive mercy," he quoted from Quran 49:10.

Leadership succession disputes within religious communities are not uncommon in Ghana, though violent confrontations remain relatively rare. The country's constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship, but provides limited legal frameworks for resolving internal disputes within religious organizations.

Ghana's Muslim community, estimated at approximately 18-20% of the population, generally maintains peaceful coexistence with other religious groups and within its own diverse traditions. The Volta Region, where the incident occurred, has a significant Muslim population alongside Christian and traditional religious communities.

The National Chief Imam, who serves as the spiritual leader of Ghana's Muslim community, traditionally plays a mediating role in disputes involving regional imams and local Muslim leadership structures. His moral authority derives from both religious scholarship and his long tenure in the position.

The Ho mosque shooting raises broader questions about conflict resolution mechanisms within religious institutions and the role of state authorities in mediating disputes that turn violent. Ghana's reputation for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence makes such incidents particularly concerning to observers both domestically and internationally.

For West Africa, Ghana often serves as a model for managing religious diversity and preventing sectarian violence. Incidents like the Ho shooting, while isolated, risk undermining this positive narrative if not addressed through effective dialogue and accountability.

International observers of religious freedom issues monitor how countries handle internal religious disputes, particularly when violence occurs. Ghana's response to this incident will be scrutinized as an indicator of institutional capacity to balance religious autonomy with public order and safety.

Religious scholars note that leadership disputes often reflect deeper tensions about authority, resources, and representation within faith communities. Succession processes lacking clear, accepted procedures create opportunities for contestation that can escalate when stakeholders feel excluded or undermined.

Security analysts emphasize that violence within places of worship represents a serious breach of social norms across religious traditions. Such incidents can erode public confidence in religious institutions' capacity for self-governance and may invite greater state intervention in religious affairs.

Legal experts point out that Ghana's legal system provides limited mechanisms for adjudicating internal religious disputes, leaving communities dependent on informal mediation and moral authority. When these mechanisms fail, as appears to have occurred in the Ho case, options for peaceful resolution become constrained.

The immediate priority involves ensuring accountability for the shooting incident while preventing further violence between supporters of the two factions. The Ghana Police Service faces pressure to conduct thorough investigations while maintaining impartiality between competing claimants to the regional imamship.

The National Chief Imam's statement places moral authority behind Shaikh Muniru's position, but whether this definitively resolves the dispute depends on acceptance by Shaikh Anas's supporters. Sustainable resolution likely requires dialogue that addresses underlying grievances and establishes clear succession procedures for future leadership transitions.

Religious leaders, civil society organizations, and traditional authorities may need to convene broader consultations to rebuild trust and prevent recurrence of violence. The Muslim community's response to this incident will determine whether it remains an isolated event or signals deeper fractures requiring systematic attention.

For Ghana's broader society, the Ho mosque shooting serves as a reminder that religious harmony requires continuous effort, effective conflict resolution mechanisms, and commitment to peaceful dialogue even amid disagreement. As the National Chief Imam emphasized, unity and reconciliation remain fundamental religious obligations that must prevail over factional interests.