“I Acted in Self-Defence” – Hawa Koomson Explains Use of Pepper Spray

Former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has defended her use of pepper spray during the disputed parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency, stating that her actions were purely in self-defence.

The election, held on Friday, July 11, descended into chaos when a group of unknown men reportedly overpowered police at the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station and launched attacks on several individuals, including the former Fisheries Minister.

Footage circulating online shows the moment Hawa Koomson pulled out a canister—confirmed to be pepper spray—and used it as some men moved toward her.

Speaking publicly about the incident for the first time in an interview with UTV on Tuesday, July 15, Koomson denied accusations that she went to the polling station intending to incite violence.

“I was at the centre with my security detail, but police officers told me I had to go in alone since unauthorised persons weren’t permitted inside. I had no intention of causing any disturbance,” she clarified.

Koomson claimed that she was deliberately targeted by individuals she recognized from Kasoa, alleging they were supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“The moment the men entered, I saw two familiar NDC faces from Kasoa. One of them yelled, ‘Where is Hawa Koomson?’ before they attacked me. So the allegation that I brought pepper spray to stir trouble is simply untrue,” she said.

Emphasizing that her reaction was prompted by a perceived threat, the former MP said, “My son was stabbed during the voter registration exercise, so I know the NDC sees me as a target. When I saw the men approaching with knives, I had to defend myself.”

Koomson maintains her actions were necessary under the circumstances and continues to reject claims that her presence at the polling station was meant to provoke violence.