Former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has denied any wrongdoing during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, insisting that her possession and use of pepper spray at a polling centre was purely for self-defence.
The former Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, who was assaulted during the chaotic scenes at the polling station, recounted the ordeal in an interview on Asempa FM on Wednesday, July 16.
According to Madam Koomson, she was violently attacked by unknown assailants who overpowered security personnel at the centre. Video footage circulating online shows her being pushed to the ground and stomped in the groin, despite deploying pepper spray in a desperate attempt to repel her attackers. It took the intervention of police officers to restore calm.
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Pepperp spray
Explaining her decision to carry pepper spray, the former MP said it stemmed from deeply personal and traumatic past experiences. She recounted a harrowing incident during a previous election where her son was stabbed amidst political violence—an event she said permanently altered her approach to personal safety.
“I always carry pepper spray—not to attack anyone—but to protect myself. I’ve gone through too much in past elections to take chances,” she said.
She stressed that her visit to the polling station was peaceful and that the confrontation was entirely unprovoked.
“They came with the intention to kill me without any provocation,” she alleged, suggesting that the attackers deliberately targeted her.
The incident, which occurred during the rerun on Friday, July 11, has drawn sharp national attention, with some critics accusing her of escalating tensions. But Madam Koomson maintains that her actions were solely in defence and rooted in a history of politically motivated violence she has endured over the years.