One person died and two others are in critical condition after they were hit by stray bullets from musketeers during a durbar to climax the celebration of the Odwira festival in Akropong in the Eastern Region, last Friday.
Joy News' Correspondent, Kofi Siaw, said bullets from muskets inadvertently went straight into the jubilant crowd causing the unfortunate incident.
The bullets were fired into the air to pay homage to the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa II.
Samuel Adade, the 76-year-old victim died after sustaining injury on his face after he was hit by the bullet. His body has been deposited at Ridge Hospital in Accra while the two injured persons are on admission at the same Hospital.
The deputy Eastern Regional Police Commander, ACP James Azuma Abass Abaah, confirmed the incident explaining that, the accident occurred at 17:10 GMT.
He said the victims were rushed to Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, but later transferred to Ridge Hospital in Accra. However, Samuel Adade was pronounced dead upon arrival at about 18:I3GMT.
According to ACP Abass, no arrests have been made yet, adding that investigations are still on-going.
Despite these incidents, the durbar was successful and well attended by dignitaries including the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Dr. Seidu Danaa, Eastern Regional Minister, Hellen Adwoa Ntoso, and other prominent chiefs and personalities.
The durbar was the 39th Odwira durbar by Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa II, Okuapehene since his ascension to the stool. The theme for this year's Odwira festival was, "Introducing Information Communication Technology, ICT, into Akuapem Traditional Administration."
Speaking on the theme, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa II said the importance of ICT in traditional governance cannot be overemphasized as it can help reduce conflicts or misunderstanding in chieftaincy administration which will help foster unity and enhance development.
He added, the use of ICT in traditional administration will ensure transparency, preserve vital information on culture, tradition, economic and industrial potentials and help to avoid unnecessary litigations.
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa II, therefore, urged the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs to establish ICT centers to train chiefs and traditional administrators to be literate in the application of ICT in their administration.
He hinted that, the Akuapem Traditional Council is taking the lead by establishing an ICT center and create a website where chiefs and traditional administrators and the public will visit to ascertain information on all aspects of Akuapem state.
