Former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has broken her silence following the violent scenes that marred the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, defending her use of pepper spray as a necessary act of self-defence in the face of a direct threat to her life.
The rerun, held on Friday, July 11, 2025, was thrown into disarray when a group of unidentified men reportedly stormed the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station, overpowering police officers and attacking several people, including the former Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister.
Footage from the scene, which has since gone viral, showed the former MP reaching into her bag and releasing a burst of pepper spray as the group approached her aggressively.
Speaking for the first time since the incident during an interview with UTV on Tuesday, July 15, Hawa Koomson firmly rejected allegations that she went to the polling station intending to cause trouble.
“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 said.
She further alleged that the attackers were known operatives of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), whom she had encountered previously.
“As soon as the thugs entered, I identified two NDC guys from Kasoa. One of them shouted, ‘Where is Hawa Koomson?’ and they just pounced on me. So, the claims that I went there with ill intentions and carried pepper spray for that purpose are unfounded.”
Describing the moment as terrifying, the former legislator said her instincts kicked in when she noticed the assailants advancing toward her with weapons.
“My son was stabbed during the voter registration exercise, so I know I’m a target for the NDC. When I saw the thugs walking toward me holding knives, I acted in self-defence.”
The chaotic events have drawn condemnation from several quarters, with growing calls for an independent investigation. However, Hawa Koomson remains resolute that her actions were purely to protect herself in a situation where her life was at risk.
