Former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has defended her use of pepper spray during a violent incident that disrupted the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency last Friday, insisting her actions were in self-defence.
The rerun, held on Friday, July 11, descended into chaos after a group of unidentified men reportedly overpowered police officers at the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station, assaulting several individuals—including the former Fisheries Minister.
Viral videos from the scene captured the moment Hawa Koomson discharged pepper spray from a canister as a group of men approached her. The footage sparked criticism and raised questions about her intentions and conduct at the polling centre.
In her first public response since the incident, Hawa Koomson told UTV on Tuesday, July 15, that she was specifically targeted and acted out of fear for her safety.
“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 explained.
She alleged that the assailants were individuals she recognised from Kasoa, claiming they were affiliated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“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,” she said. “So, the claims that I went there with ill intentions and carried pepper spray for that purpose are unfounded.”
The former MP cited past threats to her life, referencing a previous incident in which her son was stabbed during the voter registration exercise. According to her, that history has made her a prime target.
“When I saw the thugs walking toward me holding knives, I acted in self-defence,” she stated.
