Hawa Koomson assaulted as chaos erupts in Ablekuma North rerun

Tensions escalated dramatically at the St. Peter’s Society Methodist Church polling station in Odorkor, part of the Ablekuma North constituency.

The electoral rerun was violently disrupted when a group of unidentified “macho men” stormed the premises in coordinated fashion, arriving in a pickup truck accompanied by multiple motorbikes, forcing panic among voters, electoral personnel and security forces.

Eye‐witnesses report that the assailants overpowered the security detail and launched an assault on several political figures, including former MP and ex‐Fisheries Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson.

Disturbing video footage shows her being forced to the ground and reportedly stomped in the chest and groin area before officers intervened.

Other victims included NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Afriyie and a female party agent, both reportedly injured amid the turmoil.

Later in the morning a JOYNEWS journalist was slapped and pushed by a thug.

Despite a bolstered security deployment, authorities were unable to immediately restore order, and voting was temporarily halted in several polling centers.

The Electoral Commission, which had scheduled the rerun across 19 polling stations following a prolonged impasse after the December 7, 2024 general elections, now faces renewed criticism over elevated tensions in the area.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. The Electoral Commission has announced investigations, while civil society groups and electoral watchdogs are demanding accountability.

Police are also investigating the assault on a GHOne TV journalist who was slapped multiple times by an officer during the unrest.

That officer has since been interdicted and referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau.