BY Daniel Bampoe
Former Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has issued a public disclaimer after being physically assaulted during the hotly contested Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, revealing that her personal mobile phone was forcefully taken by attackers she identifies as “NDC machomen.”
The incident occurred on Friday, July 11, at the St. Peter’s Society polling station—one of the 19 locations where the Electoral Commission organized a rerun of the December 2024 parliamentary elections following dispute
over irregularities.
The rerun has been fraught with tension and marred by multiple reports of violence, intimidation, and alleged partisan attacks.
In a statement released via her official social media platforms shortly after the incident, Hawa Koomson described the attack as “unprovoked and brutal”, adding that it took place while she was peacefully observing proceedings at the polling centre.
“I was physically assaulted by NDC machomen,” she wrote. “During this unfortunate incident, my personal mobile phone was forcibly taken.”
The former minister further warned that any digital communication—calls, texts, social media updates—purportedly coming from her mobile number after the time of the incident should be regarded as fraudulent and unauthorized.
“I kindly urge everyone to disregard any such communication until I regain full control of my digital platforms,” she added, underscoring the potential misuse of her identity in the aftermath of the incident.
The Ablekuma North rerun was already under scrutiny due to mounting security concerns and political tension.
The day was marred by chaos as multiple violent confrontations erupted across polling centres.
Hawa Koomson, was at the centre of one of the most widely reported altercations.
Alongside Akua Afriyieh she was allegedly attacked by unidentified thugs who disrupted voting, attacked party agents, and created widespread panic among voters.
The Ghana Police Service has yet to release an official report on the identity of the attackers or confirm any arrests.
Meanwhile, calls for justice have grown louder, with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia demanding that President Mahama’s administration take swift action to arrest and prosecute those responsible.
