A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, August 18, 2024, when a 25-year-old man, identified as Stanley Ahadzi, was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer at Koans Estate near Kuntunse in Accra.
The officer, General Constable Smith Gyekyi, allegedly shot Ahadzi following a dispute over a transport fare. The incident occurred when Constable Gyekyi, who works with the International Relations Directorate (IRD), was operating a commercial Matiz vehicle with registration number GW 6459-21.
He had picked up a passenger, Esther Owusua, from Ablekuma Joma, who was headed to the Koans Estate area. Upon arrival, Owusua, unsure of the location, called Ahadzi for assistance.
When Ahadzi arrived at the estate gate, a disagreement reportedly broke out over the fare charged by Constable Gyekyi. The argument quickly escalated, resulting in the officer allegedly drawing his service pistol and shooting Ahadzi.
Ahadzi’s body was found covered in blood and was later transported to the Police Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
In the aftermath, Constable Gyekyi voluntarily surrendered to the police at Amasaman. He was detained, and his service weapon was confiscated for further investigation.
The Ghana Police Service, in a statement, has assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway, and the officer involved will face justice.
The Regional Command, led by DCOP Mr. Arhin Kwesi Annor, has met with the bereaved family to commiserate with them while investigations and processes to prosecute the suspect continue.
