A man who was shot during the recent shooting incident in the Okuaemhemaa’s Palace by alleged thugs of the Akuapem Banmuhene has had his left leg amputated.
The victim, in his 40s and named locally as Eric Kwabena Boafo, was allegedly shot by one Prince Mantey, 24, during a raid at the Okuapemhemaa’s palace on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Pix: Kwabena Boafo was allegedly shot in the left leg by Prince Mantey
After being shot, sympathisers rushed the victim to the St. Joseph Hospital in Koforidua in the Eastern Region. According to eye witnesses, Kwabena Boafo’s left leg took the full force of the bullet as he could easily have been killed.
Due tto the severity of the injury, his left leg had to be amputated from the knee, hospital sources said.
The incident has kicked up a row with residents in Akuapem Akropong fearing for their lives, especially as the alleged shooter Prince Mantey was still walking around as a free man in Akropong.
Beyond the insecurity in Akropong, many are worried about the inability of the people to celebrate their historical Odwira Festival which means “cleansing” and peace which they explain as ominous and a sign of ancestral curses that follow the imposition of Kwadwo Kesse as the occupant of the Akuapem stool .
According to reports, the Akuapem people see the shooting incident in Akropong as very “unusual.” Their fear has been heightened particialurly when the incident occurred during the period that marks the sanctification to precede the Odwira festival.
Against this backdrop, they called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, human rights activists among others to condemn the violence.
They further charged the IGP to demonstrate his independence and take actions to bring the perpetrators to book.
Indeed many people are worried about the safety of the Okuapemhemaa and the Akuapem Asonahene because they have now become targets for the supporters of Kwadwo Kesse.
The Akropong shooting incident and the inaction of the IGP and government has come under serious condemnation by many people.
