The Tuafo Number One Asafo Company won this year’s Aboakyer Festival of the Chiefs and people of Effutu Traditional Area.

It was the first to arrive at the durbar grounds at about 0925 hours on Saturday with a live animal and presented it to the Omanhene, Neenyi Ghartey VII, who stepped on it three times to signify his acceptance.

Last Friday, nine people were wounded and two government vehicles had their windscreens and driving mirrors damaged following a clash between the two Asafo Companies – Tuafo Number One and Dentsifo Number Two - involved in the celebration of the Aboakyer festival in Winneba.

A police spokesman told newsmen that the quick arrival of the Police at the scene prevented what could have been a bloody situation.

The spokesman said while the two Asafo companies were parading the principal streets of the town as part of the celebrations, they clashed at a spot near the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) office where the members started throwing stones and other missiles at each other.

He said two vehicles belonging to the ECG and the Ghana Highway Authority were damaged, adding that the wounded were treated and discharged at the Winneba Government Hospital.

Meanwhile, the District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) France Yiribaare when contacted, confirmed the confrontation to the GNA but said the situation had been brought to normalcy and that peace and order had returned to the town while the celebrations were going on smoothly.

ASP Yiribaare said the security personnel would leave no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful celebration of the festival, and appealed to the people to cooperate with the police and to comport themselves to ensure a peaceful celebration.

The Aboakyer is one of the major festivals that draw in many tourists yearly, however, of late because of a chieftaincy dispute, it has been necessary to beef up security during its celebration.



Source: GNA