Security analyst calls for sacking of Hawa Koomson over gunshots
Hawa Koomson, MP for Awutu Senya East, where the shooting incident took place on Monday, has admitted she fired a gun at the Step to Christ voter registration centre
The MP for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has come under fire after firing warning shots at a voter registration centre.
The ongoing voter registration exercise at the Step to Christ registration centre in Kasoa was characterised by chaos on Monday. Allegations of bussing of voters to the registration centre escalated into a scuffle, and at least three motorbikes were burnt in the process.
Warning shots were also heard during the chaos, after which Koomson stepped up and admitted that she fired a gun.
However, Adam Bonaa, a security analyst, believes the MP, who doubles as the Minister for Special Development Initiatives, went overboard.
Resign or be sacked
Speaking on the Accra-based Starr FM, Bonaa argued that Koomson must immediately resign from her ministerial position. If she refuses to resign President Akufo-Addo must not hesitate to sack her, he said.
Koomson’s action endangered the life of everyone who was present at the registration centre, Bonaa argued. “Holding a firearm is a privilege. She is a threat to society and her firearm licence should be withdrawn,” he said.
“Holding a firearm does not give you the audacity to shoot. There are rules and regulations. Her constituents should not retain her.”
Self-defence
Meanwhile, Koomson has defended herself following the calls for her to resign from her position as a government minister.
The under-fire legislator said she fired the warning shots in self-defence amid chaos at the centre.
“When I got the information that people were being bussed from some places into my constituency, I couldn’t sit down for people to come and register in my constituency and elect an MP for the people of Kasoa,” she said.
“I work with men because I can’t work with women alone in this political enterprise. None of my men had guns on them when we got to the centre. I fired the shots myself. Yes, I gave those warning shots to protect myself.”
The Central Regional Police Command has invited Koomson to answer questions and confirmed that four suspects have been detained in connection with the incident.
E A Alanore
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