Ayanfuri, Central Region – May 10, 2026 – A traditional ruler in Ghana’s Central Region has died after accidentally shooting himself while performing at a funeral ceremony, according to local reports.
Nana Kwabena Okyere, the Mmratehene of Ayanfuri, a mining community, sustained fatal injuries on May 9, 2026, during what began as a celebratory display. A video circulating on social media captures the moment the chief, visibly animated and dancing, brandished what appeared to be a pump-action gun while another individual sprayed cash on him.
In the footage, the chief repeatedly pointed the firearm at his own chest and pressed the trigger, but the weapon did not discharge. He then manipulated the gun’s fore-end—racking it backward and forward—before again aiming it at his shoulder. This time, when he pulled the trigger, the gun fired. The bullet struck him in the chest, causing him to collapse immediately.
Bystanders quickly carried the injured chief from the event. He was rushed to a nearby health facility but later succumbed to his injuries.
The incident has sparked widespread reaction on social media, with many expressing shock and grief over the tragic mishap. Authorities have not yet released an official statement, and investigations are expected to follow.
