Panic gripped residents of Kwadwamena, a rural farming settlement in the Asante Akim North Municipality, after a sudden invasion by swarms of bees sent villagers fleeing for their lives on Wednesday.
The normally quiet community was thrown into chaos when clouds of bees descended without warning, stinging both residents and animals.
Startled villagers—including children, women, and the elderly—abandoned their homes and sprinted into nearby bushes and farms to escape the aggressive swarm.
According to eyewitnesses, the bee attack was so intense that residents were forced to take refuge in surrounding communities, leaving Kwadwamena almost completely deserted for hours.
Though no lives were lost, several individuals sustained painful stings and minor injuries. Despite the fear and trauma caused by the incident, frustrated residents say they received little help from authorities.
“We placed several distress calls to NADMO, but no one came,” one resident told reporters. “We were left to deal with the attack on our own.”
Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service in the municipality confirmed receiving reports of the incident but said their ability to respond was hindered by a lack of equipment, including fire tenders and protective gear.
By Thursday morning, a few villagers had cautiously returned to assess the situation. While the swarm had mostly dispersed, some bees were still hovering around, keeping residents on edge.
Community members are now calling on the National Disaster Management Organisation, the Fire Service, and health authorities to intervene promptly to fully neutralize the threat and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“This is not just about bees. It’s about being safe in our own homes,” one resident said.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about emergency response capabilities in remote parts of the country, where residents are often left vulnerable during crises.
