The parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency—triggered by procedural issues involving missing collation sheets—was expected to be a peaceful electoral exercise. Instead, it descended into scenes of violence that have shaken Ghana’s democratic foundations.
Hawa Koomson, a leading figure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was physically attacked at the Odorkor Methodist Church polling station while supporting the party’s parliamentary candidate, Akua Afriyie. The assault, described as deliberate and calculated, left her visibly shaken.
Security expert Paul Boateng has condemned the incident, labeling it as political vengeance.
In an interview with Bismark Brown on Happy FM’s political show “EPA HO A DABEN,” Boateng claimed the attack was not random but rather deeply rooted in unresolved tensions.
He alleged that some members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) sought to retaliate against Koomson for previous incidents that had caused resentment within their ranks.
Boateng further warned that unless proactive security measures are put in place, such politically motivated violence could become a recurring feature during elections.
He cited comments from both NPP and NDC sympathizers that suggest a troubling undercurrent of tit-for-tat political aggression, eroding democratic norms.
“Some comment from some NPP members clearly shows that they will also do the same when they get the opportunity to rule this country again emphasizing that they will never forget all that this government is doing against former appointees of the previous government “.
