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Misuse of firearms at funeral: Tenager loses pregnancy, another loses eyes
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The cry of a baby that never came will haunt Hiawu Besease in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District of Ashanti for years.
At a funeral meant to honour the mother of Nana Aboagye Asare III, Chief of Besease, a gunfire rang out—and a bullet tore into the abdomen of 19-year-old Serwaa Alice, heavily pregnant.
Doctors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital could not save her unborn child.
Beside her, 13-year-old Maa Adwoa collapsed, struck in the eye. She remains in critical condition at the Nkawie Government Hospital. The incident took place on March 13, 2026.
“We were mourning already, and suddenly we are mourning even more,” said Abigail, Serwaa’s sister, trembling as she recalled the moment.
“The bodyguard was firing gun and it hit my sister in her abdomen and the other lady. It was devastating,” she added.
The tragedy has ignited outrage across Besease. Residents are demanding answers, questioning why firearms were discharged so close to mourners. “This is not tradition, this is recklessness,” an elder lamented.
The Committee Chairman of the area, Mr Emmanuel Asante, confirmed that the victims were rushed to hospital. Serwaa Alice was admitted to the emergency unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), but doctors could not save her baby. Maa Adwoa is receiving treatment at Nkawie Government Hospital, her condition still uncertain as of the time of filing the story.
The incident has sparked outrage across Besease. Residents are demanding answers, questioning why firearms were discharged so close to mourners. “This is not tradition, this is recklessness,” one elder lamented again. “We fire muskets to honour the dead, but this was careless gunplay that has destroyed lives,” he added.
In Akan communities, gun salutes at funerals are meant to honour the departed. But in recent years, misuse of firearms has turned symbolic gestures into deadly risks. The incident at Hiawu Besease has reignited debate: should gunfire at funerals be regulated—or banned outright?
Community leaders are pressing for a formal investigation. Residents want clarity on whether the bodyguard acted under instruction or negligence. Police have yet to issue a full statement, but pressure is mounting.
For now, two families bear the weight of grief: one mourning a baby who never drew breath, another praying for a girl fighting for hers. As one relative put it, “The echoes of gunfire at Hiawu Besease will not fade quickly.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings in Ghana and is still wanted under a valid arrest warrant issued by the High Court in Accra.
In a public notice, the OSP said it had taken note of a transcript of a hearing from a United States immigration court that has been circulated by some media organisations.
According to the office, the document has been interpreted by some to suggest that Mr. Ofori-Atta has not been credibly charged or linked to any wrongdoing in Ghana.
The OSP rejected that interpretation, explaining that it is not involved in Mr. Ofori-Atta’s immigration proceedings in the United States.
It said its involvement relates only to extradition proceedings, which are being handled through Ghana’s Attorney-General as the country’s central authority.
According to the OSP, the extradition documents are not before the US immigration court and the court has no authority to determine whether the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta are credible.
“The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta is a matter for determination by the courts in Ghana,” the OSP stated.
The office explained that there are three separate legal proceedings involving the former minister.
These include the immigration proceedings in the United States concerning his immigration status, extradition proceedings to determine whether he should be returned to Ghana, and the criminal case before the High Court in Accra involving corruption and corruption-related offences.
The OSP reiterated that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains before the High Court in Accra as an accused person and that a valid warrant has been issued for his arrest.
It maintained that he remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana and is required to appear before the High Court to answer the charges against him.
The Special Prosecutor also stressed that the criminal proceedings in Ghana would continue in accordance with the law and the directives of the High Court, whether or not Mr. Ofori-Atta is physically present in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Telecel Ghana has announced that it has resolved the intermittent challenges that affected its voice and data services.
In a message to customers, the telecommunications company announced that its network services had been fully restored after experiencing temporary disruptions.
“We are pleased to inform you that intermittent challenges with our voice and data services have been resolved,” the company said.
Telecel apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the service interruptions and thanked them for their patience during the period.
“We appreciate your patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the company added.
The company assured customers of its commitment to providing reliable communication services under its slogan, “Connecting Energies.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
