A suspected traditional leader at Agona Amenfi in the Western Region was shot and injured by police during a confrontation at a palace on Saturday, May 30, 2026, after he allegedly refused repeated orders to drop a machete.
According to reports and video footage circulating on social media, the incident occurred at the Agona Amenfi Palace during preparations for a sod-cutting ceremony for a new maternity ward project.
The confrontation reportedly began when a palace messenger was sent to retrieve a ceremonial hoe from the palace. However, the traditional leader allegedly prevented the messenger from entering and is said to have attacked him with a machete, prompting police intervention.
Videos from the scene showed officers repeatedly ordering the man, who was dressed in a traditional smock and adorned with talismans, to surrender the weapon. Despite several warnings, he allegedly refused to comply.
Police reportedly fired warning shots in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, but the man continued to hold the machete and allegedly moved aggressively towards officers and some bystanders.
The officers subsequently discharged their weapons, with one of the bullets reportedly striking the man’s hand.
Despite sustaining the injury, the traditional leader was seen running around the palace grounds while still holding the machete. He later sat in a chair before collapsing.
Witnesses said he was rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment. His condition remains unknown.
The Ghana Police Service had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report, while the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the use of force remain under investigation.
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