The people of Agona Asafo in the Central Region were struck by tragedy during what was supposed to be a night of joy and unity at the Akwambo festival. A vigil held as part of the celebrations turned into chaos when a truck loaded with coconuts lost control and rammed into the crowd. More than 18 people were injured in the crash, with five of them said to be in critical condition, leaving the community in shock and sorrow.
Eyewitnesses recalled how the vigil had been filled with songs, drumming, and dancing before the disaster struck. In the middle of the night, the sound of music was suddenly replaced with screams as the truck came speeding toward the gathering. Within seconds, the heavy vehicle ploughed through the crowd, knocking down men, women, and children, while coconuts spilled all over the ground. Survivors described the scene as one of horror, with people desperately trying to escape as the truck forced its way through the crowd.
“It was a nightmare,” one shaken witness said. He explained how people who had been joyfully clapping and singing just moments earlier were suddenly lying on the ground with serious injuries. Many had to be carried away by friends, family, and strangers who rushed in to help. The impact left victims with broken bones, deep wounds, and head injuries.
Those in critical condition were rushed immediately to nearby hospitals as emergency teams and locals worked together to save lives. Doctors and nurses worked late into the night, struggling to stabilize the most serious cases while treating dozens of others with cuts and bruises. Outside the hospitals, families gathered anxiously, some crying, others praying, waiting to hear news about their loved ones.
The Akwambo festival, which holds deep cultural meaning for the people of Agona Asafo, has now been overshadowed by this painful tragedy. Instead of celebration, there was grief as relatives rushed to the scene and hospitals to check on their family members. Community elders expressed sadness over the incident, calling for calm and urging everyone to stand together in this difficult time.
Leaders of the town also appealed for prayers for the victims and their families, while demanding that a thorough investigation be carried out to understand how the truck lost control. For many, the incident has left behind scars that will not be forgotten easily. The sound of celebration was cut short, replaced by the cries of the injured and the sobs of their loved ones.
As the festival continues, the memory of this night will remain a painful one. For those recovering, the road to healing will not only be physical but emotional. The tragedy has reminded everyone in Agona Asafo how fragile life can be, turning what was supposed to be a joyful night of cultural pride into one filled with sorrow and prayer. The hope now is that the five in critical condition will survive, and that all the victims will find strength and recovery in the days ahead.
Discussion about this post