A Call for Calm and Unity After Election Violence
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Ms. Hawa Koomson, has urged Ghanaians to remain calm following a recent revelation by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak. This statement exonerated her from accusations related to the violence that occurred during the 2024 elections in Kasoa.
“I call on all Ghanaians, especially political actors and the media, to exercise calm and to avoid misinformation, incitement, and divisive rhetoric. This moment calls not for blame but for retrospection, justice, and national unity,” she said in a statement issued recently.
The minister’s report highlighted several key points. It confirmed that 21 suspects have been identified, and there were clear breaches of discipline by some security officers. The use of firearms in certain situations was deemed unjustified. Ms. Koomson emphasized that these findings align with her long-standing position that the Kasoa incident resulted from security lapses and institutional failures, not the actions of any individual.
Addressing Past Attacks and Misinformation
Ms. Koomson, who previously served as the Minister for Special Development Initiatives, reflected on the years of harsh and unfair public attacks she endured. “I was branded violent, reckless, and unfit for office through sensational and misleading headlines. The judgment was swift and painful,” she stated.
She noted that the Interior Minister’s findings have vindicated her, confirming that the violence was not directed by her but stemmed from broader systemic failures in election security coordination. She attributed the assault she suffered during the Ablekuma North election rerun to the unjustified accusations and intense vilification she faced.
A Dark Moment in Public Life
Ms. Koomson had gone to the election venue to monitor proceedings, adding that “that experience remains one of the darkest moments of my public life, a reminder of how false narratives can destroy reputations and endanger lives.”
While she takes no delight in revisiting these painful experiences, she extends her deepest sympathies to the families of all victims of electoral violence. “Their loss must be our national lesson,” she said.
Supporting the Minister’s Recommendations
Ms. Koomson fully supports the Interior Minister’s recommendations, which include compensation for victims, enhanced police training, the use of non-lethal crowd control tools, and the discontinuation of military involvement in election control operations. She believes these steps are essential for ensuring fair and peaceful elections in the future.
Moving Forward with Unity and Justice
In her statement, Ms. Koomson emphasized the importance of moving forward with unity and justice. She called on all stakeholders to reflect on the events of the 2024 elections and to work together to prevent such incidents from occurring again. Her message is clear: it is time for Ghanaians to come together, learn from past mistakes, and build a more stable and secure future for their country.