• The MP who doubles as Special Development Initiatives Minister went to the registration centre on a tip-off that her political opponent had bused some people not residing in the constituency to partake in the Electoral Commission's (EC) registration exercise. • ''I think it's completely avoidable and ought not to have happened. So, if you take it from that perspective alone, it's difficult to defend her conduct. I'm being honest with you and it has collateral implications for the party as well as the administration of which she's a part. Needlessly, completely needless!'' he rebuked the Minister.
Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has castigated the Member of Parliament (MP) for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson over her shooting conduct at a registration centre in the constituency.
Hawa Koomson has been subjected to public criticism after she fired gunshots at the Step to Christ voters' registration centre in the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region.
On Monday, July 20, 2020, the MP who doubles as Special Development Initiatives Minister went to the registration centre on a tip-off that her political opponent had bused some people not residing in the constituency to partake in the Electoral Commission's (EC) registration exercise.
But, according to Hawa Koomson, she was met by some attackers and therefore necessitating her shooting incident.
Self-Defence
Hawa Koomson admitted that she fired a gunshot but was aiming at scaring away her attackers.
To her, she was acting in self-defence because her police escort wasn't with her at the registration centre.
“My police escort had not started work yet. So that is a mechanism I have adopted in his absence.''
“I realised the lives of my people were in danger. So I wanted to scare the people. I fired the warning shots. I didn’t direct it at anybody'', she explained what triggered her reaction.
NPP National Youth Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye also believes she was defending herself.
"Her life was under threat. She got information in the morning that some people are being bused to the registration centre. At the same time, she also was receiving messages of attack on her. So, she had information that a bus had brought some people to do the registration. While she was on her way to the centre, she was met by some unidentifiable men on motorcycles and was sore afraid when they started approaching her. Looking at how the situation was unfolding, she was compelled to fire warning shots," he narrated.
Needless self-defence
But, to Kweku Baako, it was needless of the Minister to have gone to the registration centre alone, hence reacting in the manner she did.
Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's Wednesday edition of ''Kokrokoo'', Mr. Baako noted that the specific area where the shooting incident occurred is already known to be a flashpoint.
He therefore questioned why Hon. Hawa Koomson didn't wait for her police escort before stepping out to the centre.
He strongly held that Hawa Koomson's action is untenable and will have collateral implications for her.
''I doubt if there is any basis for her conduct. Member of Parliament and Minister of State, such an exercise and that place is a flashpoint and you're entitled to some personal security but if the personal security is not ready, I don't see why you should go alone. And I'm assuming that she went without a personal security, yes, so I want to give the benefit of the doubt. But why go when your personal security is not immediately available and actually it's not a case where will never show up? And the exercise takes some hours, so why put yourself in potential danger so that you, the Minister the MP, will have to exercise self-defence''
''I think it's completely avoidable and ought not to have happened. So, if you take it from that perspective alone, it's difficult to defend her conduct. I'm being honest with you and it has collateral implications for the party as well as the administration of which she's a part. Needlessly, completely needless!'' he rebuked the Minister.
Call to resign
There are incessant calls on Hawa Koomson to resign as Minister over her conduct or otherwise misconduct.
Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to sanction her.
The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Reverend Dr Emmanuel Asante has also charged the leadershing of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to institute disciplinary action against her.
He believes Hawa Koomson's shooting incident has tarnished the party’s image.
“I wish that the NPP will take note of this and take action in respect of what she has done to bring their name into disrepute,” he said.
NPP General Secretary, John Boadu has also condemned the action of the Special Development Initiatives and urged the Police to restore calm in the constituency.
''The fact is, we as political parties must be willing to ensure a peaceful environment for both the registration and voting exercise. Acts such as bussing people and illegally registering people at various polling centres will always create some form of violence as both parties will not agree to that and hence may ignite some form of violence."
"We are only urging the police to do the right thing and restore peace in the area, but if things continue this way then people will be forced to protect themselves," he stated.
Credit to Source: Peacefmonline
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