Pregnant Woman Fights for Life After Stray Bullet Incident During Queen Mother’s Funeral Rites in Ashanti Region
A 19-year-old pregnant woman is in critical condition at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital after being struck by a stray bullet during final funeral rites for a late queen mother in Haawa Besease on Thursday night.
The victim, Alice Serwaa, sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen while standing in front of her home amid escalating tensions during the burial ceremony. Despite emergency intervention, the unborn baby she was carrying did not survive, resulting in a stillbirth.
Medical staff at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital continue to work to stabilise Serwaa’s condition following her transfer from a nearby Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound, where initial first aid was provided.
An assembly member for the area, Nana Osei Tutu, speaking to Adom News, explained that the incident unfolded when the local chief arrived in the community accompanied by a group of heavily built men, reportedly acting as enforcers to maintain order and ensure compliance during the royal funeral proceedings for his late mother.
According to Nana Osei Tutu, some local youth resisted a directive instructing residents to remain indoors in reverence to the occasion. The resistance reportedly escalated into confrontations, during which the group allegedly assaulted residents and fired gunshots in an attempt to disperse the crowd and restore calm.
In the ensuing chaos, a stray bullet struck Serwaa. Another young girl in the vicinity was also injured, reportedly hit in the eye.
The assembly member described the events as deeply regrettable and called for a thorough investigation by the police to establish the full circumstances, identify those responsible for the shooting, and ensure accountability.
Serwaa’s family has joined the appeal, urging authorities to conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. They expressed heartbreak over the loss of the unborn child and the life-threatening injuries to their daughter.
The Ghana Police Service has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, but community leaders and residents expect swift action to prevent further escalation and restore peace in Haawa Besease.
