Concerned youth of Ho Zongo have given Volta Regional Minister James Gunu seven days, ending October 23, 2026, to facilitate a resolution of the dispute surrounding the closure of the Ho Central Mosque and present a concrete plan for its reopening.
The youth, in an open warning dated October 16 and addressed to the Regional Minister, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Ministry of the Interior and relevant security authorities, threatened to organise a demonstration if the mosque remained closed beyond the deadline.
They expressed frustration over what they described as the failure of the Regional Minister to facilitate a lasting and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The group said the prolonged closure had heightened concerns within the community, insisting that residents deserved answers, justice and a peaceful resolution to the impasse.
“We are putting the Minister on notice: within seven (7) days from 16 October 2026, ending on 23rd October 2026, we demand a clear and lawful resolution of the mosque closure and a concrete plan for the safe reopening of the Ho Central Mosque for prayers,” the statement said.
It added that failure to reopen the mosque by the stated deadline would trigger a demonstration against the Regional Minister.
The youth also raised concerns about a reported shooting incident at the mosque and demanded a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the continued closure of the place of worship.
They called on the Minister for the Interior to take an active interest in the matter, ensure a thorough investigation and work with the relevant authorities to prevent further violence.
The group further questioned what it described as the Regional Minister’s perceived closeness to the Ali Muniru family, challenging him to demonstrate impartiality in his handling of the dispute.
The allegations against the Minister and the concerns raised by the youth were contained in the statement issued by the group. They were not independently verified.
The youth urged Mr Gunu to engage traditional leaders, religious authorities and security agencies to resolve the dispute peacefully, stressing that the safety of worshippers and other residents must be a priority.
NDC urged to intervene
The group also appealed to the NDC leadership to take the concerns of Ho Zongo residents seriously, warning that the handling of the dispute could affect public confidence in political leadership.
It said unresolved community grievances could influence residents’ political decisions, including their choices at the ballot box.
The youth maintained that their demand was not intended to incite violence but to compel the relevant authorities to take urgent steps towards resolving the dispute.
“Our seven-day demand is a call for urgent action, not a call for violence,” the statement said.
They also insisted that they would continue to pursue accountability and fairness through lawful and peaceful means.
The statement did not include a response from the Regional Minister or the other parties involved in the mosque dispute.
The circumstances surrounding the reported shooting, the reasons for the mosque’s continued closure and the positions of the parties to the dispute remain to be established independently.
The youth said they expected the Regional Minister and the relevant authorities to act before the October 23 deadline to prevent further tension and restore access to the mosque for worship.
