Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Ransford Gymapo, has opined that the previous incidents of violence perpetrated by former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Hawa Koomson, which resulted in fatalities a few months ago, contributed to her assault during the Ablekuma North rerun.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points, Professor Gyampo noted that Hawa Koomson’s presence at the Church of Pentecost, North Odorkor Polling 2 Station was not necessary. According to him, the former government official is known to be a violent person who unleashes violence at the slightest provocation and her presence sent a signal that she was coming cause mayhem.
“She been there means a dare. Hawa Koomson should not have been present at the polling center because she is a woman who had a past of perpetrating certain acts of violence that resulted in deaths”, he explained.
Mr Gymapo stated that such incidents happened in the past and nothing was done about it promoting a culture of impunity since such electoral violence was never addressed wholeheartedly.
Mr. Gymapo asserted that similar occurrences have occurred previously, with no action taken, hence fostering a culture of impunity because those incidents was not addressed wholeheartedly.
He subsequently advised senior political officials against escalating tensions in violence-prone areas, stressing that their conduct should not provoke negative reactions from the populace, citing Hawa Koomson’s use of pepper spray as a clear example of a situation that could have been averted.
“Also, by spraying them with pepper spray, you’re calling for a rebuttal.”
He therefore called for a collaborative efforts by government, key stakeholders and Ghanaians to speak against electoral violence which occurs every electioneering period.
Gyampo urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to implement measures ensuring that all individuals visiting polling stations to vote or offer assistance undergo thorough searches, and to equip police officers with the requisite tools to combat individuals who consistently create chaos during elections.
