Police Nab Suspect in Fatal Gbawe Naming Ceremony Shooting
Accra Regional Police arrested 21-year-old Gilbert Awini, an Okada rider, on July 7, 2025, for fatally shooting Queen Mother Pearl Naa Dodua Whitaker during a naming ceremony in Gbawe Zero on June 19. Awini, alias Starboy, consumed alcohol-laced sobolo, possibly with narcotics, before firing, police said at a press briefing.
The shooting killed Whitaker, 33, and injured trader Priscilla Naa Ayeley, 38, who was shot in the chest and is stable at the University of Ghana Medical Center. Awini fled to Asokore, Ashanti Region, on a motorbike with a friend, Oxygen, but was caught after police intelligence tracked him down. The firearm remains missing.
Two others, event organizer Ibrahim Nii Ayi Quarshie Solomon and another accomplice, were arrested for assisting Awini. The incident, tied to a clash between rival Asafoatse warriors, turned the ceremony chaotic, with indiscriminate gunfire reported after the 4 p.m. event ended. Police are probing the motive and searching for other suspects.
The Gbawe community is reeling, with residents demanding justice for Whitaker, a mother of two. Odorkor Divisional Police Commander ACP Kofi Sarpong visited the scene, confirming the shooting occurred post-ceremony. Authorities urged the public to share information to aid the ongoing investigation.
This tragedy highlights rising violence at public events in Ghana. Police are intensifying efforts to recover the weapon and ensure all involved face justice, as the community mourns and calls for stronger safety measures at gatherings.