ABLEKUMA NORTH RERUN: Hawa Koomson Admits Using Pepper Spray in Self-Defence
Former Awutu Senya East MP, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has broken her silence after deploying pepper spray during the chaotic Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun on Friday, July 11, explaining that her actions were purely in self-defence during what she described as a life-threatening situation.
The election descended into chaos at the St Peter’s Methodist Church polling station after reports emerged that unidentified men had overpowered police officers and attacked voters and officials — including Koomson herself.
Viral footage shows Koomson pulling out a canister and using pepper spray as a group of men advanced towards her.
Speaking in her first interview since the incident, on Accra’s UTV on Tuesday, July 15, Koomson said she had arrived at the polling centre with her security team but was ordered by the police to enter alone. “I did not go there to cause trouble,” she said firmly.
She claimed she was targeted by men she recognised from Kasoa, allegedly linked to the opposition NDC. “One of them shouted, ‘Where is Hawa Koomson?’ and they just pounced on me,” she recounted, rejecting claims that she went to the polling station intending to cause mayhem. “The allegation that I carried pepper spray with bad intentions is completely false.”
Describing the incident as terrifying, Koomson added: “My son was stabbed during the voter registration exercise, so I know I’m a target for the NDC. When I saw the thugs approaching me with knives, I had no choice but to defend myself.”
While political figures from both the NPP and NDC continue to trade blame over the day’s violence, Koomson insists she only acted to protect herself in a dangerous situation.
Credit: myjoyonline.com
