A tragic fire outbreak at Kpone Kokompe farms in the Greater Accra Region has claimed the lives of four people, who were burnt beyond recognition.
The victims include a 27-year-old man, a 14-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy, and a two-year-old baby.
The fire, which broke out around 11:20 pm on September 12, also destroyed 10 wooden structures. Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to the incident, successfully dousing the flames. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Divisional Officer (DOIII) Matthew Kumi, second in command at the Devtracco Fire Station, told the Ghana News Agency that they received a distress call at 11:28 pm and arrived at the scene at 11:47 pm. Reinforcements were called due to the extent of the fire, and it was fully extinguished by 12:55 am.
While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, it was discovered that the victims had stored motorcycles, gas, and other items that likely contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
DOIII Kumi urged the public to install smoke detectors, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers in their homes to help prevent such tragedies. He also warned against illegal electrical connections, which are often linked to fire outbreaks.
“The Fire Service is always available, so do not hesitate to call or reach out to us using the emergency numbers 112 and 192 when there is an emergency,” Kumi emphasized.
Mr. Gideon Bolgla, one of the fire victims, recounted how he and his family were asleep when the fire broke out. They escaped with their lives but lost all their belongings. He appealed to stakeholders for assistance in rebuilding their lives. Another victim, Mr. Augustine Hevi, also called on local authorities, including the Member of Parliament and the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly, to provide shelter for the affected families.
In a statement on social media, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the victims of the disaster. The Tema Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Patrick Sallah, visited the affected victims to offer support and assess the damage. The GNFS reiterated the importance of fire safety measures, noting that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
The Tema regional police command, in collaboration with military personnel, has uncovered a suspected human trafficking syndicate operating in the Sebrepor community within the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra region.
During this operation, which occurred on August 20, 2023, two individuals from West African countries were apprehended.
These suspects were allegedly holding 12 other nationals in what residents describe as a form of bondage, as reported by Myjoyonline.com.
Furthermore, the police discovered 15 laptops in a five-bedroom house. This residence was allegedly being used to exploit 12 Nigerians, aged between 18 and 30, who were reportedly coerced into participating in cybercrime activities and subjected to harsh treatment.
Residents in the area had been dealing with disturbing noise disturbances for a period of time. Their concerns prompted them to alert the police, ultimately leading to the apprehension of 14 individuals.
During an interview with JoyNews, one resident detailed the events that unfolded in the area, ultimately resulting in the arrests.
“When the two police motorbikes arrived and forced their way into the house, they discovered twelve individuals who seemed hungry, their complexion almost pale, as though they were held captive. It was a dire situation. They were placed there, hungry. If they didn’t secure clients, hunger awaited. They needed to work and deceive clients online before they could eat.
“It was undoubtedly against their will. One of the victims mentioned that they were confined there without food,” a resident said according to Myjoyonline.com.
The Assembly Member representing the Sebrepor Electoral Area, Prince Jacob Adjorvor, confirmed the report and emphasized that it was through the collaborative efforts of both the police and military personnel that the suspected kidnappers were apprehended.
“A combined team of police and military personnel was called in; we reached an agreement and proceeded. Upon entry, we counted 12 young men, along with their alleged leader, and approximately 15 laptops. These items were seized and subsequently transferred to the Emefs Police Station,” Myjoyonline.com quoted him as having said.
The Tema regional police command is probing the case to establish the facts of the matter and deal with the suspects if found guilty.
Kpone (Le Sega) is a town in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, located along the Eastern coast of the country, situated near the capital city, Accra.
The Le from the Sega Hills (present site of VALCO), who are related to the totemic Le people of La, Tema, and Nungua, and a group of later arrivals from Osodoku make up the Kpone confederation. This confederation makes up the current two boroughs (Akutsei) of Jɔɔshi (with 7 Clans) and Alata (with 3 Clans) respectively.
The basic form of subsistence for the Kpone people was fishing and farming until recently when industrialization within the Tema industrial zone has rendered farming almost extinct within the town. Fishing is however still practiced by a few family-owned fishing businesses.
The Kpone stool is called the Dortey stool named after Nene Dortey I (Akpeng bi Dortey), the founder of contemporary Kpone. The stool is however nicknamed Ashirikwa Jaku. Aya, a snake with a sacred grove, Klaŋ the hyena, which is also venerated in Teshie, and La and Osabu the Leopard were and are still the gods of Le Sega.
Currently, the Osabu and Klaŋ sacred groves are located adjacent each other at Mantse Agbo-Naa Agbonaa near the Shajotso (Baoba tree).
When the Alata quarters came to Sega, they brought the god Nadu with them and his wife Naa Bake. Mi music is used to worship all four of the Kpone principal gods in the Dangme language. Kplejoo is a festival for the gods during which both the gods and people are purified.
The festival lasts a whole month and takes place in June or July depending on where the moon stands in the sky. During this festival, a sheep or a cow is sacrificed to appease the gods and ward off mishaps and bad omen that might befall the town in the upcoming year.
The Kplejoo festival offers the chance to either admonish citizens of their wrongdoings or commend them for their good deeds through the singing of Kple songs by various teams within the boroughs. Some of the teams that participated in the 2023 edition include inter alia; Baamuchi, Angelina, Boaje, Downtown, Kpookeke, K20, Rasters, Station and NBA.
Connecting the two amalgamated systems of Kpone are a spectrum of Kple gods with their songs sang in Obutu. Gao, Laloi Bake, Okutenten (and his two wives, Afieye Okropɔŋ and Afiɔkɔ Samanyaa), Nyaŋkɔmle, Tsawe Otrome and Akpo Diŋla, are among them.
The fact that practically all Ga towns share the same Kple gods or the same god in various towns is equally instructive. Sakumɔ, the most senior deity of Tema, whose wulɔmɔ is the high priest of Tema, Tsade, Awudu (the horned, black-spitting serpent known as Blika), Akpitiɔkɔ, Okulate, Latekale, Ahulubeseikwa (which is also found in Kpone), and other Kple gods are all fed fotoli in Tema.
A variety of Kple deities, such as Gbɔbu (whose wulɔmɔ is the high priest of the entire GaDangme state), Oshwe whose wulɔmɔ is the Nungua Mantse), Osabu (also in Kpone), etc., are also worshipped by the Nungua people. The Kple gods of La include Nyɔŋmɔ Tsawe, Osabu, Klaŋ (the hyena deity also in Kpone), and others. The La-Kpa deity is the oldest god in La and exhibits traits of both a Kple and a war god in addition to being a war god.
The Homowo celebration is actually heralded by the Kple festival, and among the Kpone people, it is the Kple festival that initiates the Sɛi faayaa (purification of the Dortey stool), the principal festival of the Kpone people.
Early in February, the town is purified as part of the preparations for the Kplejoo festival. A white cow is killed and distributed among the elders of the 10 clans, and a black one killed, chopped into bits, and scattered across the Kpone town. The Kpone Mantse, who is also the wulɔmɔ of the Aya deity, notifies the community of his plans to observe the Sɛi faayaa in early May by the use of his gong-gong beater (town crier).
The presentation of corn (Abelejaa) to the gods to be used in their Nyedaa beverage comes next. During the Abelejaa ceremony, the first ban on drumming and noisemaking is placed. The shrines (gbatsui) are whitewashed a week later. On a Friday, the Aya shrine is whitewashed first, and on a Sunday, Osabu and Klaŋ’s are next.
On the next Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, the Gao shrine and Diŋla are painted white. In the third week of May, there’s a wake-keeping for the Aya deity led by the Mantse on Thursday night in which Abletsi (ram) is sacrificed for Aya.
For the Aya deity, a special delicacy known as mushe (made with Abele mamu (corn flour) and palm oil) is also prepared and offered to the deity. The Aya priestess offers spiritual prayers for the community and its residents at this wake.
On the next Tuesday, what is called ‘journey to Le Sega’ is performed at the Gao shrine (on the banks of the Gao lagoon). This marks the first day of Kple. At this ceremony, a sheep is killed for the Gao deity and the priestesses murmur Kple songs as a form of worship for the Gao deity.
Just before sunset, the group that went to the Gao shrine (which includes the Mantse) makes a stop at the Okutenten shrine at Alata where special rites are performed with nyanyara (hyssop) leaves in a sese (wooden bucket) for cleansing by the priestesses.
This ceremony officially marks the beginning of the Kplejoo festival. The festival is repeated the next day which is a Wednesday. The Kple deity Akpla dugufue is worshipped at his shrine on the following Saturday. The Agbaafoiatse and the Akpla wulɔmɔ are in charge of this event.
The various Kple teams present a spectacular performance of Kple songs on the final day of Kple, which is the following Tuesday. The next Friday is the last day of Kple worship.
This ritual is performed in conjunction with jaratsemɔ, in which wɔyei (priestesses) visit various markets to collect goods and food from market women that are then distributed to the town’s elders at the Aya naa (forecourt of the Aya shrine).
The actual event is held at the Otutu of the Kple gods Abloma and Adade, which is situated at the forecourt of the Ati We clan.
References: Religion and Medicine of the Ga people, M.J Field, Oxford University Press, 1937. Kpone history interview with Nuumo Tei Dortey (Head of Kojo We Royal Clan), June 2022 Kpone history interview with Ayikushi Sackey (Osabu woyoo), August 2021.
Dr. Evans Ago Tetteh
Acting Chief, Kpone Sebrepor.
Lecturer, Regional Maritime University
The writer: Dr. Evans Ago Tetteh Acting Chief, Kpone Sebrepor. Lecturer, Regional Maritime University.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
A you group calling itself Organized Youth for Development (OYD) at Kpone in the Kpone Katamanso District Assembly (KKDA) has threatened to embark on a series of legally permitted actions including organized demonstrations against government to shut down the Kpone landfill site which they say is killing them in the municipality.
Narrating their ordeal, the youth leader, Nii Noi Tetteh lamented over the fruitless engagements the youth of the area have had with the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr. Ishmael Ashitey over the period not less than six months.
A viciously frustrated Tetteh said, “We are on our last lifeline, we have no such luxury of time to wait anymore”
Because of this landfill he said they have most their water bodies to the leache and many of the inhabitant have died mysteriously.
He said there are no accessible roads and any development activity going in the municipality which is a worry to the youth of the area.
The Regional Minister flanked with other metropolitan and municipal chief executives were on a tour to assess the state of the landfills and to engage the youth further for a truce upon news that the youth were readying to demonstrate against government for the closure of the Kpone landfill.
Fire gathered the Kpone Landfill on August 15, 2019 and up till now the fire is still burning which resulted in the decommissioning of the landfill.
The oldest site on the same land has therefore been used to accommodate waste amounting to 800 and 900 tons in a day.
The Regional Minister Hon. Ishmael Ashittey appealed to the youth leaders to talk to their members to calm down for government has already awarded their road as part of “government’s special roads” to a contractor who is mobilising to come to site and that government was almost ready to relocate the landfill site from Kpone.
He said he has had discussions with the Sanitation and Water Resource Minister and the relocation will executed as soon as possible.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA), Hon. Felix Annang-La appealed to the youth for cool heads saying it was practically impossible for government or the TMA to shut down the Kpone landfill overnight.
According to the MCE, government has decided that all other parts of Greater Accra Region except Tema, Ashaima and Kpone are not supposed to dump their refuse at the Kpone Landfill again which is an agenda to reduce the pressure on the landfill until the relocation is successfully done.
Mr. Annang-La appealed to patrons of the facility from other parts of Accra to desist from hauling waste from Accra to the site any further.
