The former Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Hawa Koomson, has stated that she feels vindicated by the recent revelations made by the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, regarding investigations into election-related violence, including the tragic incident at Kasoa.
According to Hon. Koomson, the Interior Minister’s report confirmed that 21 suspects had been identified and that there were clear breaches of discipline by certain security personnel. The report also found that the use of firearms in some instances was unjustified. She said these findings reinforce her long-held position that the Kasoa incident resulted from systemic security lapses and institutional failures rather than the actions or instigation of any individual.
“For years, I endured harsh and unfair public attacks. I was branded violent, reckless, and unfit for office through sensational and misleading headlines. The judgment was swift and painful,” she said. “Today, the Interior Minister’s findings have vindicated me.”
Hon. Koomson recounted that the accusations and public hostility she faced even led to her being assaulted during the rerun of 19 polling stations in Ablekuma North, where she had gone peacefully to monitor the process. She described the experience as one of the darkest moments of her public life, underscoring how false narratives can destroy reputations and endanger lives.
While expressing no joy in revisiting those painful memories, the former Minister extended her sympathies to families of victims of electoral violence. She also voiced full support for the Interior Minister’s recommendations, including compensation for victims, improved police training, the use of non-lethal crowd control tools, and the discontinuation of military involvement in election crowd control operations.
