Two people have been confirmed dead while 14 others, including a police officer, sustained gunshot injuries following disturbances that erupted during the Yam Festival celebration at Nchiraa in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region.
According to the Ghana Police Service, calm has since been restored in the area following the incident, which occurred on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
A press release issued by the Bono Regional Police Command and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, said preliminary investigations indicate that the disturbances broke out after the festival programme had ended.
The statement explained that at about 5:30 p.m., when Nana Tabiri Yaw II and his sub-chiefs were being escorted to the palace, gunshots were fired, leading to the unrest.
Police said two persons died as a result of the incident, while 13 civilians and a police officer suffered gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital mortuary pending preservation and autopsy.
The Bono Regional Police Command has intensified patrols in Nchiraa to maintain security and prevent any further disturbances.
“The situation remains calm,” the statement noted, assuring residents that every effort is being made to identify and arrest those responsible for the violence.
Police have urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations as law enforcement authorities work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Yam Festival is one of the major traditional celebrations in the area and attracts large numbers of residents and visitors each year. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.