At least seven people are receiving treatment in hospitals in Ho in the Volta Region after a shooting incident disrupted Jummah prayers on Friday, December 26, 2025.
The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. at the Ho Central Mosque shortly after the newly appointed Chief Imam arrived to lead the prayers.
Eyewitnesses said violence broke out when supporters of Alhaji Alfa Anas clashed with armed men providing security for the new Chief Imam. Tensions between the two groups have existed for more than a decade over who is the legitimate Chief Imam for the Volta Region.
The confrontation quickly escalated into gunfire, causing panic among worshippers and bringing the prayers to an abrupt halt. Seven people were injured, some of them seriously, and were rushed to various hospitals in Ho for treatment. The identities of the injured have not been disclosed.
This incident is the latest in a long-running dispute over the leadership of the Muslim community in the region, which has led to several confrontations over the years.
Following the shooting, joint security forces were deployed around the Ho Central Mosque and the surrounding Zongo community to prevent further violence and restore calm.
Media access to the regional hospital has been restricted, while police continue investigations into the incident to establish the cause of the shooting and identify those involved.