A police operation in Sefwi Sayerano in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region turned deadly on Tuesday, July 7 leaving two people dead and two others injured sparkling protests that brought traffic on a major highway to a standstill.
The incident reportedly occurred when officers from the Sefwi Wiawso Divisional Police Command entered the community to arrest a man suspected of engaging in drug trafficking.
According to residents, some members of the community attempted to stop the arrest, leading to a confrontation between them and the police.
During the clash, officers allegedly fired live ammunition, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.
Two other people sustained gunshot wounds and other injuries during the incident and were rushed to a nearby health facility for medical treatment.
Residents also claimed that another person could not be found after the operation.
However, authorities had not confirmed the reported disappearance at the time of publication.
The shooting triggered anger among residents, who blocked the main road linking Sefwi Sayerano to neighbouring communities in the Bia West District.
The protest disrupted movement along the route, with demonstrators reportedly preventing security personnel from entering the town.
One of the victims has been taken to a morgue, while the second body remained in the community as residents demanded justice and accountability from the authorities.
A resident, Okyeame Kwaku Ortiz, condemned the conduct of the police during the operation and called for an independent investigation into the incident.
He urged the relevant authorities to ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.
The Ghana Police Service had not released an official statement on the shooting as of the time this report was published.
The exact circumstances that led to the use of firearms remain unclear, and investigations are expected to establish what transpired during the police operation.
