What began as a celebration of the annual Yam Festival at Nchiraa in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region ended in bloodshed on Saturday, October 3, 2026 with the killing of people and injuries to 14 others, including a police officer.
It followed the firing of gunshots after disturbances broke at the festival.
The Bono Regional Police Command in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah said the violence erupted at about 5:30 p.m. after the festival programme had ended, when the Nchiraahene, Nana Tabiri Yaw II and his sub-chiefs were being escorted to the palace.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that a gunshot was heard during the procession, triggering disturbances at the Four Junction in the community.
The statement said the injured were rushed to the Wenchi Methodist Hospital, where they were receiving treatment.
It added that the bodies had also been deposited at the mortuary of the same hospital for preservation and autopsy.
The police explained that calm has since been restored in the area and patrols intensified to prevent further disturbances.
The police said efforts were underway to arrest those involved in the disturbances.
