Six individuals, including a toddler, were injured by stray bullets in the town of Kwabenakwa in Ghana’s Ashanti Region following a gunshot allegedly fired in celebration of a court ruling tied to a local chieftaincy dispute.
The gunfire erupted on October 14 after Kofi Cole, a relative of one of the factions involved in the long-standing dispute, reportedly discharged a weapon while celebrating the legal victory. According to local authorities and eyewitness accounts, Cole and several family members had mounted a tricycle to parade through the town when the shots were fired.
Stray bullets struck six bystanders, triggering alarm among residents of the Obuasi East District community. Four of the victims received treatment and were subsequently discharged. A woman and her infant sustained more serious injuries and were referred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, a regional referral center.
Police have launched a manhunt for Cole, who fled the scene and remains at large. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday morning.
The incident has reignited concerns over the public safety risks surrounding chieftaincy-related conflicts in Ghana, where traditional leadership roles can carry significant influence and remain a source of deep-seated community divisions.
