The Ho Municipal Security Council has closed down the Ho Central Mosque for two weeks while litigation over the Regional Imam position is being settled.
The lockdown covers the area surrounding the building; a decision the Municipal Police Commander, Alexander Yeboah, said was to prevent clashes between the two factions.
The site was accessible while the years-long litigation simmered but following a failed peace attempt recently, the Security Council has decided to restrict access completely.
The Police had to rush in on Friday to seal off the place when the supporters of Alfa Anas defied the order and made their way to the mosque to pray.
“We went there to maintain peace and to ensure the orders given by the Security Council and the Regional Police Commander were adhered to.
“The place must be under lock to prevent a possible clash,” he said.
The disagreement over religious leadership has divided the Muslim community in the Regional capital and turned the Central Mosque into a security zone to avert clashes.
Despite the lockout, a faction decided to observe their Friday prayers in the precinct of the Mosque.
The case is currently before a Ho High Court, while both sides continue to lay claim to the position.
The demise of former Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Umoro Danjimah Hamzah, marked the start of tensions, as a section of the community held that Alhaji Alfa Hamid, who deputised for the deceased, should be allowed to assume the substantive position until a new regional Imam, Alhaji Muniru Ali was installed, giving the way for the sharp division and factionalism in the Ho Zongo.