Nsawam High Court prohibits Osenase Homecoming durbar over security

The High Court in Nsawam, presided over by Justice Paul Oduro, has issued a formal prohibition against the grand durbar and street carnivals planned for the Osenase Homecoming. This ruling, delivered on October 14, 2026, comes in response to significant security concerns linked to a long-standing chieftaincy dispute in the area. The court found that the event organizers failed to provide the mandatory prior notification to the police as required under the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491), which governs public assembly and safety.

The court's decision reinforces an earlier ban imposed by the West Akim Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), which had already restricted public gatherings involving rival factions in Osenase. Justice Oduro highlighted the potential for the homecoming activities to escalate into communal violence, given the volatile tensions between the competing groups. By bypassing the statutory notification process, the organizers were deemed to have created a situation that posed a direct threat to public safety and order in the municipality.

During the legal proceedings, it was established that the prohibition is not an indefinite cancellation of the town's celebrations but a necessary safety measure for the current period. The court clarified that the restriction remains in place only until the organizers comply with all legal requirements and the local security council determines that the threat of violence has subsided. The ruling underscores the priority of national security and public order over cultural festivities when there is a documented risk of conflict between factions.

In his closing remarks, Justice Oduro stated that the court remains open to future applications by the organizers once the appropriate administrative procedures are satisfied and the municipal ban is lifted. Until then, all residents and factions are expected to comply with the directive to avoid legal repercussions. This measure aims to preserve the peace in Osenase while the underlying chieftaincy issues are addressed through the proper traditional and legal channels.