Accra, Ghana – July 11, 2025
The parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency has been marred by disturbing scenes of violence, intimidation, and open assault—bringing Ghana’s democratic principles into sharp question. The most alarming moment of the day involved the physical assault of former Member of Parliament and former Fisheries Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, by a group of unidentified thugs in full view of security personnel and party supporters.
Background of the Rerun
The Ablekuma North rerun followed a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the results of the December 2024 parliamentary election due to alleged irregularities. The Electoral Commission scheduled the by-election rerun for Friday, July 11, 2025, with high expectations from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Tensions were already high, as the seat has historically been a stronghold for the NPP, but the rerun presented a crucial test for both major parties ahead of the 2028 elections.
Violence Erupts at St. Peter’s Polling Centre
At approximately 11:00 AM, masked men, some wielding batons and others riding motorcycles, stormed the St. Peter’s Methodist polling station in Odorkor, a key voting location in the constituency. Eyewitnesses described the group as “well-organized,” suggesting a premeditated effort to disrupt voting.
Former MP Hawa Koomson, who was not contesting but was present in support of the NPP candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, was among the first targeted. Footage circulating online shows Koomson being physically assaulted—pushed to the ground, stomped on the chest and lower body, and forcibly dragged from the polling station.
Several NPP agents and party loyalists attempted to intervene but were themselves attacked. One female agent was seen bleeding from the face after being struck with a metal object. A journalist from GHOne TV was also slapped by a police officer, prompting public outrage and immediate police action.
Police Response and Interdiction
The Ghana Police Service has since interdicted the officer involved in the assault on the journalist and referred the case to the Police Professional Standards Bureau for investigation. While the police eventually regained control of the polling station and dispersed the attackers, criticism abounds regarding their delayed response and inability to prevent the assault in the first place.
As of the time of reporting, no arrests have been made, although the Ghana Police Service has promised to “identify and apprehend all perpetrators using video evidence and eyewitness testimonies.”
Political Fallout: Bawumia, NPP React
The incident has drawn fierce condemnation from top political figures. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, issued a strong statement describing the attacks as “a threat to democracy and a disgrace to Ghana’s electoral process.” He further called on President John Mahama to ensure justice is swiftly served:
> “What happened today in Ablekuma North is not just criminal; it is a direct assault on the will of the Ghanaian people. No democracy can thrive under fear and violence,” Bawumia said in a press briefing.
NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong called for an emergency stakeholder meeting with the Electoral Commission, National Peace Council, and the police to address the growing menace of electoral violence.
Civil Society and Media Condemnation
Civil society organizations, including CODEO, IMANI Ghana, and the Media Foundation for West Africa, have joined the chorus of condemnation. A joint statement from leading civil groups described the incident as:
“A grave reminder that Ghana’s democracy is not immune to regression. The impunity with which these attacks were carried out reflects a systemic failure in both policing and political accountability.”
Journalist associations are also demanding full protection for media personnel during elections, following the violent attack on GHOne’s cameraman, whose equipment was destroyed.
Effect on Voting and Voter Turnout
Due to the chaos, voting was temporarily suspended at several polling stations. Many voters left the queues in fear, resulting in dramatically low turnout. Electoral officers confirmed that dozens of ballots were damaged, and observers from the European Union and ECOWAS expressed concerns about the credibility of the exercise.
Call for Justice and Electoral Reform
As pressure mounts on the Ghana Police Service and the Electoral Commission, Ghanaians are demanding more than just statements—they want arrests, prosecutions, and a national inquiry into election-related violence.
Legal analysts are also calling for the implementation of electoral security reforms, including:
Deployment of nonpartisan polling station security;
Enforcement of strict punitive measures for electoral violence;
Disqualification of candidates linked to violent actions.
Conclusion
The Ablekuma North rerun, which should have been a peaceful reaffirmation of democratic choice, instead became a theatre of violence, fear, and lawlessness. The assault on Hawa Koomson and others signals a worrying trend—that Ghana’s democracy may be slowly eroding under the weight of political aggression and unchecked thuggery.
The nation watches and waits: Will justice prevail, or will this be another forgotten outrage swept under the political rug?
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