A joint team of armed police and military personnel moved into the Ho Central Mosque in the early hours of Friday, January 2, 2026, to enforce a temporary closure ordered by the Volta Regional Security Council. The operation took place before dawn, with security personnel arriving at about 2:00 a.m. to clear the area and take control of the premises.
According to observations later in the day, security presence remained heavy around the Sabong Zango area, where the mosque is located. Most residents were indoors while police officers guarded the vicinity with several vehicles, including a mobile police cell stationed near the mosque.
The enforcement follows a directive issued by the Volta Regional Security Council on December 31, 2025, declaring the Ho Central Mosque a crime scene. The statement said the mosque would be closed for two weeks, effective January 1, 2026, to facilitate further investigations into the shooting incident that occurred there on Boxing Day.
The statement, signed by the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, who chairs the Regional Security Council, said the decision was taken in consultation with the Ministry of the Interior. It explained that the closure followed an emergency REGSEC meeting held on December 29, 2025, to address growing tensions within the Muslim community in Ho.
According to REGSEC, the tensions stem from competing claims by two individuals to the position of Volta Regional Chief Imam. The council said the temporary closure was intended to create a neutral environment to support mediation efforts and prevent further violence.
The statement stressed that the decision was guided by the need to preserve peace, protect worshippers, and uphold the sanctity of the mosque. REGSEC said it believes dialogue remains the most effective way to resolve the dispute and that all stakeholders would be engaged constructively during the closure period to achieve a lasting resolution.
Despite the directive, the Ho Central Mosque remained open throughout Thursday, January 1, 2026, in violation of the order. On December 30, a joint team of police forensic experts from Accra and Ho visited the mosque to collect evidence as part of ongoing investigations. The site was later cordoned off, but by the following day, the tapes used to secure the area were reported missing.
Authorities have not said whether any arrests have been made in connection with the breach of the closure order or the removal of the cordoning tapes. Investigations into the Boxing Day shooting and related disturbances remain ongoing, as security agencies maintain a presence in the area to prevent further incidents.