Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East, has disclosed that she has acquired a firearm for self-protection against Hawa Koomson, the current Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East and Minister for Fisheries.
In an interview on Point Blank on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Ms. Okunor revealed that she felt compelled to take this step after receiving threats from MP Koomson during the 2020 elections, which she claims occurred on four separate occasions without any subsequent police action.
“There is a need for me to do this because I can best protect myself, not anyone else, against Hawa Koomson,” Ms. Okunor stated. “During the 2019-2020 elections, Hawa Koomson pulled a gun on me on four different occasions. No arrest was made, no interrogations, no investigations—nothing. The case just died. Since the police haven’t provided any form of protection for me, I have to take measures into my own hands.”
Ms. Okunor also addressed reports of her arrest following a violent incident in Kasoa on Sunday. On June 2, 2024, the Ghana Police Service arrested three individuals, including Ms. Okunor, in Ofaakor near Kasoa for unlawful possession of a firearm. The suspects, including Mustapha Mohammed and Abdul Aziz Musah, were apprehended near the Electoral Commission (EC) Office in Ofaakor while in a Honda CRV with registration number GX-2044-19. A pump-action gun with four rounds of ammunition was found in the vehicle.
The arrests followed a violent clash at the EC’s office in Kasoa, resulting in injuries to four individuals. Ms. Okunor maintains her innocence, insisting her firearm is for self-defense due to previous threats and the lack of police intervention.
Ato Koomson, son of the MP for Awutu Senya East, was among those injured. He was reportedly stabbed during an altercation near the EC office and was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in critical condition. Another individual was also injured.
Eyewitnesses reported that the dispute began around 4 a.m. when supporters of the governing NPP and the opposition NDC clashed over the positioning of residents in the queue for the ongoing voter ID card transfer and replacement exercise. The disagreement centered on who had the right to sit on a particular chair in the queue, with both parties typically reserving spots for their members by placing chairs.
As tensions remain high, the incident underscores the urgent need for increased security measures and resolution of conflicts during the election process.
