A community ceremony in Ghana's Western Region descended into chaos on Friday when police shot and disarmed an armed suspect during a tense standoff at the Agona Amenfi Chief's Palace in the Amenfi Central District.

The suspect, identified as a local royal, was reportedly dressed in traditional attire, adorned with protective charms, and armed with a cutlass when the incident unfolded.

According to reports, traditional authorities, community leaders, and residents had gathered for a sod-cutting ceremony marking the construction of a new maternity ward for the town's health centre.

The event was briefly interrupted when it was discovered that the ceremonial hoe required for the sod-cutting exercise had been left at the palace. A palace messenger was subsequently dispatched to retrieve the tool.

According to eyewitnesses, the messenger encountered the suspect upon arriving at the palace grounds. The man allegedly prevented him from entering and a confrontation soon followed.

Witnesses claimed the suspect attacked the messenger with a cutlass, inflicting multiple injuries and prompting an emergency response from local police.

Officers who arrived at the scene reportedly attempted to calm the situation and persuade the suspect to surrender. However, their efforts were unsuccessful, leading to a prolonged standoff.

Residents said tensions escalated as the armed man allegedly refused to comply with police instructions. Some members of the community reportedly believed the suspect possessed traditional charms that made him immune to gunfire, adding to the growing unrest.

After repeated attempts to resolve the situation peacefully failed, police opened fire, striking the suspect in the hand. The injury allowed officers to overpower, disarm, and take him into custody.

The suspect was transported for medical treatment, while the injured palace messenger also received care for wounds sustained during the attack.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident as community leaders work to restore calm following the dramatic confrontation.