Police Shoot Machete-Wielding Traditional Leader During Palace Confrontation in Agona Amenfi

A suspected traditional leader in Agona Amenfi in the Western Region was shot by police during a tense confrontation at the town’s palace after he allegedly refused repeated commands to surrender a machete.

The incident occurred on Saturday, May 30, at the Agona Amenfi Palace during preparations for a sod-cutting ceremony for a proposed maternity ward project. Reports indicate that a palace messenger had been sent to retrieve a ceremonial hoe from the palace when the traditional leader allegedly prevented him from entering and reportedly attacked him with a machete.

The situation prompted the intervention of personnel from the Ghana Police Service, who arrived at the scene and repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. Video footage circulating on social media shows the man, dressed in a traditional smock and adorned with talismans, ignoring the officers’ commands while brandishing the machete.

According to eyewitness accounts, police initially fired several warning shots in an attempt to compel him to surrender. However, the suspect allegedly remained defiant and reportedly attempted to attack both the officers and members of the crowd gathered at the scene.

Police subsequently discharged their weapons in what witnesses described as an act of self-defence, with one of the bullets reportedly striking the man in the hand. Despite sustaining injuries, he was seen running around the palace grounds while still wielding the machete before eventually sitting on a chair and collapsing.

The injured traditional leader was rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment. His condition has not yet been disclosed.

Authorities have not issued an official statement on the incident, and questions remain over the circumstances that led to the use of force by the police. Investigations are expected to establish the full details surrounding the confrontation.