Police Officer Arrested After Shooting Leaves Two Wounded at Ritz Junction

The Accra Regional Police Command has launched a formal investigation into a shooting incident at Ritz Junction that resulted in two civilians sustaining gunshot wounds. The incident unfolded on Sunday, 11 October 2026, following an altercation between a police officer and members of the Ritz Junction Taxi Drivers Union.

General Sergeant Mathew Aboase, attached to Madina Police Station, has been arrested and is currently in police custody as investigations proceed. According to a statement from Chief Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs at the Accra Regional Police Command, the officer allegedly brandished his service pistol during the confrontation with taxi drivers.

How the Incident Unfolded

During the heated exchange, drivers reportedly attempted to disarm the officer in what escalated into a physical struggle. In the course of this altercation, the weapon accidentally discharged, striking two bystanders in the vicinity.

The victims have been identified as Doe Asinyo, who suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh, and Gifty Nyimahen, 34, who sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Both were transported to Madina Pentecost Hospital for emergency treatment. Asinyo received treatment and was subsequently discharged, whilst Nyimahen was admitted and later transferred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for specialist care.

The officer's service pistol has been retained as evidence, and remains a focal point of the investigation as police seek to establish the precise sequence of events leading to the discharge.

Why This Matters for Ghana

The incident raises serious questions about police conduct, firearm safety protocols, and the management of confrontations between law enforcement and civilians in public spaces. Ritz Junction is a major commercial taxi hub in Accra, making this incident particularly significant given the potential for civilian casualties in a densely populated area.

Police accountability remains a critical issue for Ghanaian civil society and the public. This case demonstrates the police service's stated commitment to investigating misconduct involving its own officers—a key measure of institutional integrity. The arrest and detention of General Sergeant Aboase signals that the Ghana Police Service is prepared to subject its personnel to the same legal processes as ordinary citizens when credible allegations of misconduct arise.

The incident also underscores ongoing concerns about firearm discipline within law enforcement and the circumstances under which officers draw weapons during civilian interactions. Such cases often fuel public debate about the necessity of enhanced training, clearer rules of engagement, and more rigorous oversight mechanisms.

What Comes Next

The Accra Regional Police Command has assured the public that appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law. The outcome of this investigation is likely to influence discussions around police reform and accountability mechanisms within Ghana's security services.

As investigations continue, the focus will be on determining whether the discharge was genuinely accidental or the result of negligence, and whether the officer's initial decision to brandish the weapon was justified under the circumstances. The conclusions reached will carry implications not only for General Sergeant Aboase's career but potentially for how similar situations are handled by other officers nationwide.