Hawa Koomson Blames NDC for Shooting Incident at Kasoa Voters’ Registration Centre

Member of Parliament (MP) for the Awutu Senya East Constituency Mavis Hawa Koomson has defended her decision to fire a gun at a polling station in Kasoa yesterday.

The MP has maintained that, she acted out in self-defence in the absence of her police escort.

This follows various criticisms levelled against her from individuals and civil society organizations after a scuffle in the constituency ended with gunshots and three motorbikes getting burnt.

Security expert Prof Kwesi Aning, for instance has called for her dismissal as a Minister of Special Development Initiatives.

Earlier Monday, officials of the Electoral Commission closed down the Step to Christ registration center in Kasoa after ‘armed thugs’ reportedly stormed the premises.

Per eyewitnesses account, the men numbering at least 15 arrived at the centre with the MP around 8 am and tried to sack some prospective voters.

But Hawa Koomson says, she was attacked by some thugs allegedly affiliated with the NDC, which led to her firing the warning shots.

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In narrating her account via a press release she noted;

 “As Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson entered the polling stations with her entourage, they saw some motorists who had earlier been seen with the NDC’s candidate, Naa Koryor, at Universal polling station. Following and running around the Member of Parliament’s vehicle and attacked her lead vehicle by smashing the taillight and the bumper. The said car is parked at the kasoa police station.

“This was an attempt to ambush her and prevent her from entering the premises. Furthermore, the unidentified motorists had on face masks making it difficult to see their faces.

“The wild behavior of the thugs caused the registrants to scatter because the place had become unsafe.

“Upon seeing the danger posed by these thugs on motorbikes who were attacking her unarmed team close to the polling station, the Member of Parliament quickly gave a warning shot in the air in self-defense to scare off the thugs,” part of a press statement released read.

She additionally accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of escalating the confusion, chaos, and frustrations within the constituency.

Read full statement Below