Former Awutu Senya East MP Mavis Hawa Koomson has justified her use of pepper spray during last Friday’s chaotic parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North, claiming it was an act of self-defence against alleged National Democratic Congress (NDC)-affiliated attackers.
The July 11 election, held across 19 polling stations following disputes from the December 2024 polls, turned violent when unidentified men reportedly overpowered police at St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station. Viral videos showed Koomson deploying pepper spray as a group advanced toward her.
In an interview with Accra-based UTV on Tuesday, the former Fisheries Minister denied planning violence, insisting she was targeted.
“I was at the voting centre with my security, but the police insisted I enter alone, saying unauthorised persons were not allowed in. I did not go there to cause trouble,” she stated.
Koomson alleged she recognised attackers from Kasoa linked to the opposition NDC: “One of them shouted, ‘Where is Hawa Koomson?’ and they just pounced on me. […] When I saw the thugs walking toward me holding knives, I acted in self-defence.”
She referenced her son’s stabbing during the 2024 voter registration as proof of being a target: “I know I’m a threat to the NDC, which is why I take steps to protect myself.”
Koomson said she attended the rerun to support NPP candidate Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, a former parliamentary colleague, dismissing claims of provocation: “I am not a troublemaker, but I don’t take foolishness.”
The NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn ultimately won the rerun. Police rescued Koomson during the clash, but no arrests have been reported.
