Majority Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has strongly condemned former Minister for Fisheries, Hawa Koomson, over her controversial appearance at a polling station in Ablekuma North during the parliamentary rerun.
He described her conduct as that of a ‘vigilante,’ citing her possession of pepper spray and accusing her of provoking tensions that ultimately led to violence.
Also Read: Hawa Koomson had no business in Ablekuma North – Security analyst
Speaking during a panel discussion on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, the Majority Whip questioned the legality and appropriateness of Hawa Koomson’s presence at the polling station, especially while in possession of pepper spray.
Armed vigilante
“She came to Ablekuma North during a rerun of the elections armed with pepper spray in your bag — who are you? Are you not a vigilante? Pepper spray is a weapon, by definition, so why didn’t the police act? She came as a vigilante. Even her actions constitute provocation under the law,” he stated.
He referred to Ghana’s Criminal and Other Offences Act (Act 29), pointing out that provocation can be a legal consideration in cases where violence follows inciting behaviour.
“Read Act 29 and look at the provisions on provocation. If you provoke people and they react, it becomes a defence in law. That’s what I’m saying—she provoked the crowd,” he added.
The Majority Whip lamented the lack of crowd control by police and questioned why security protocols were not properly enforced, especially in a designated polling area.
According to him, polling stations are designated and gazetted under C.I. 127, hence nobody is allowed to enter such an area with a weapon, concealed or not, else the person ought to be treated as a vigilante.
He, however, expressed sympathy for Hawa Koomson, who was physically assaulted during the fracas, but maintained that her actions were reckless and unbefitting of a former cabinet minister.
“Yes, she’s a mother. I sympathise with the physical assault on her. But let’s criticise her conduct. As a former Minister of State, you don’t show up at a polling station with a concealed weapon. You’re provoking people,” he said.
Drawing a comparison, he praised former National Security Minister Bryan Acheampong for how he conducted himself during his visit. The former Food and Agriculture Minister, he said, engaged everybody calmly without stirring and inflaming passions.
The Majority Whip also took issue with a statement issued by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which he said falsely implicated NDC Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, in the violence.
He said, “What the Minority Leader said about Hon. Mustapha Gbande was false. It was intended to cause public disaffection. Mustapha wasn’t even there when the incident started. He was the one who rushed in to help. He and Joseph Yamin took Hawa Koomson to the hospital in their vehicle after Sammy Awuku called him,” he said.
He emphasised that Gbande’s role was humanitarian, not partisan.
“You don’t damn a man for helping. Mustapha Gbande played no role in the mayhem. He rather rescued her and ensured she got medical attention,” the Whip stressed.