Ghana’s democracy is under assault. Four separate attacks, including one on a journalist by a police officer, marred the Ablekuma North rerun election.
Background
The Ablekuma North constituency in Ghana has been a hotspot of political tension following the disputed December 7, 2024, general elections, which necessitated a partial rerun on July 11, 2025, in 19 out of 37 polling stations. The rerun aimed to resolve the lack of a declared Member of Parliament due to irregularities and disputes. However, the day was marred by multiple assaults, reflecting a disturbing trend of electoral violence in Ghana.
Four significant incidents occurred:
Assault on Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah.
The Deputy National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was attacked by unidentified thugs at a polling station, as captured in a viral video. This incident underscores the failure of security measures to protect key political figures and the broader issue of political vigilantism.
Assault on Mavis Hawa Koomson.
The former MP for Awutu Senya East and Ex-Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in 2021 was assaulted at St. Peter’s polling station. This event is particularly notable given Koomson’s history of involvement in electoral violence, including a 2020 shooting incident at a voter registration center in Kasoa.
Assault on a Female Journalist
A female journalist was also attacked during the coverage of the rerun, highlighting the dangers faced by media personnel in conflict zones. This incident is part of a pattern of attacks on journalists in Ghana, as documented by organizations like the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Assault by a Police Officer on a Journalist
A police officer was captured on video slapping Agyekum Banahene, a journalist from GHOne TV, at the Church of Pentecost, North Odorkor Polling Station 2. The Ghana Police Service subsequently interdicted the officer and referred the case to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.
These assaults collectively illustrate the breakdown of law and order during the electoral process, exacerbated by political rivalries, inadequate security measures, and a culture of impunity.
Social Comments and Public Reaction
The public reaction to these assaults, especially concerning Hawa Koomson, has been marked by a mix of outrage, schadenfreude, and calls for justice. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been abuzz with comments, many of which frame the incident involving Koomson as “karma” due to her past actions. Phrases like “Karma is a bitch” and “What goes around comes around” have been prevalent, reflecting a public perception that her involvement in previous violent episodes justifies her
current victimization. This narrative is fueled by the 2020 Kasoa incident, where Koomson was accused of orchestrating violence, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for her arrest.
However, the assault on the female journalist and the police officer’s attack on a male journalist have elicited different reactions. Many Ghanaians have expressed horror at the targeting of media personnel, viewing it as an attack on press freedom and democracy itself. Comments such as “Journalists are the eyes of the public; attacking them is attacking us all” and “This is a disgrace to our democracy” have been common. The police officer’s actions have drawn particular ire, with some questioning the integrity of the security forces and others demanding swift justice.
The discourse also reveals a deep-seated frustration with the political class and security institutions, perceived as failing to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law. While some see the incidents as isolated acts of violence, others view them as symptomatic of a broader systemic failure in Ghana’s electoral process.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAYS?
Ghanaian law, specifically the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Criminal Procedure Code, 1960 (Act 30), provides a framework for addressing assault and ensuring justice.
Pursuant to Section 86 (1) of the Criminal & Other Offenses Act, 1960,
A person makes an assault and battery on another person, if without the other person’s consent, and with the intention of causing harm, pain, or fear, or annoyance to the other person, or of exciting the other person to anger, that person forcibly touches the other person. This includes both physical and threatened harm.
Punishments for assault vary depending on the severity. Section 69 of Act 29 is to the effect that a person who intentionally and unlawfully causes harm to any other person commits a second degree felony. In the case of BROBBEY& ORS v THE REPUBLIC [1982-83] GLR608;
The Appellant-policemen had been convicted, inter alia, of causing harm. On appeal, it was held that the harm must not only have been intentional, but also unlawful. The evidence disclosing the fact that the complainant was resisting lawful arrest, the police were entitled to apply reasonable force to effect the arrest.
Act 30 outlines the procedures for prosecuting such offenses, emphasizing the role of the police in investigating and the courts in adjudicating. The law mandates that assaults must be treated with urgency to deter future occurrences and uphold the rule of law.
Additionally, the attack on journalists is a violation of their right to freedom of expression and press freedom, protected under Article 162 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The four assaults during the Ablekuma North rerun election are a damning indictment of the state of Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law. The violence not only endangers lives but also erodes public trust in the electoral process, potentially discouraging voter participation and fueling further instability. The targeting of high-profile figures, electorates, as well as journalists and even a police officer turning against a journalist, indicates a dangerous escalation where political and professional differences are settled through physical confrontation rather than legal and democratic means.
This abysmal act is particularly egregious given Ghana’s history of relatively peaceful transitions of power. It represents a failure of both political leaderships at every level and security apparatus to protect
citizens and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process. The notion of “karma” circulating in public discourse, while reflective of societal frustrations, does not excuse the violence or diminish the need for legal accountability. The attacks on journalists are especially concerning, as they undermine the media’s role as a watchdog and a pillar of democracy.
Recommendations to the Ghanaian Government and Police
The Ghanaian government must ensure thorough and impartial investigations into all four assaults. The police should identify and arrest the perpetrators, and the Attorney-General’s office should prosecute them under Act 29 and Act 30. This is crucial to send a message that electoral violence and attacks on journalists will not be tolerated.
Again, the police need to deploy adequate resources to polling stations, especially in high-risk areas where there is a likelihood eruption of tension. This includes increasing the presence of trained personnel and equipping them with non-lethal crowd control tools to manage situations without resorting to excessive force. The incident involving the police officer slapping a journalist must be a catalyst for reforming police conduct during elections.
The government must take concrete steps to protect journalists covering elections. This includes providing security escorts, establishing safe zones for media operations, and ensuring swift legal action against attackers. The private media houses must play a role to securing protective clothes and helmets for these Journalists as well as providing them with securities.
Also, the government should invest more in public education campaigns to promote peaceful electoral conduct and the importance of democratic principles. Community leaders, religious institutions, and civil society organizations should be involved in grassroots efforts to mitigate tensions and foster dialogue. Special emphasis should be placed on educating youth, who are often at the forefront of vigilante activities.
The government should review existing laws, such as the anti-vigilante bill passed in 2020, to assess their effectiveness and identify gaps. Strengthening these laws and ensuring their enforcement can deter future violence.
In conclusion, the four assaults during the Ablekuma North rerun election are a sobering reminder of the challenges facing Ghana’s democracy. While public sentiment may frame these events through the lens of retribution or outrage, the legal system must respond with objectivity and firmness. The Ghanaian government and police have a critical role in restoring trust in the electoral process and ensuring that such acts of violence are not repeated. Only through concerted action can Ghana uphold its reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa and protect the rights and safety of its citizens, including journalists who are essential to a functioning democracy.
EBENEZER NII KWARTEY QUARTEY
64th Legal Affair Commissioner, SRC – KNUST
FACULTY OF LAW, KNUST. X: @EnKQ_20
Email: [email protected]
