On July 16, 2025, former Awutu Senya East MP and ex-Fisheries Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson addressed allegations of improper conduct during the recent parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North, defending her use of pepper spray as a necessary act of self-defense. Speaking on Asempa FM, she recounted a violent incident at a polling station on July 8, 2025, where she was assaulted, pushed to the ground, and stomped in the groin by a group of individuals.
Disturbing video footage captured the chaotic scene, showing Hawa Koomson deploying pepper spray to protect herself before security personnel intervened. She explained that she routinely carries pepper spray for personal safety, a practice adopted after her son was stabbed during political violence in a previous election. “I always carry it for protection,” she said, adding, “That incident changed everything for me.”
Hawa Koomson maintained that her presence at the polling station was peaceful and accused the attackers of initiating violence without provocation, claiming, “They came with the intention to just kill me.” The incident has sparked debate, with critics arguing her actions may have escalated tensions, while she insists they were driven by a legitimate fear for her safety.
The controversy has drawn significant attention, with ongoing discussions about political violence and personal security during elections in Ghana.
Source: African Publicity
