The Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, gave a detailed update to the public on the findings of the report into the 2020 and 2024 election violence.
According to the minister, the Awutu Senya East Constituency was among 12 electoral violence cases that were investigated. The constituency witnessed a fierce contest between the former Member of Parliament, Mavis Hawa Koomson, and her successor, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor.
Confusion as interior minister contradicts Awutu Senya East MP’s claim on election violence
An alleged attack on a convoy belonging to Phyllis Okunor reportedly resulted in the death of one person. Initial claims alleged that the attack was orchestrated by Koomson.
However, it appears the minister’s remarks, particularly on the Awutu Senya East violence, have sparked confusion and conflicting statements from both parties.
What the minister said
During the briefing, the minister disclosed that the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, had denied any knowledge of the violence that marred her election, an incident that left one person dead.
“Honourable Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor denied that her convoy was attacked. She was nowhere near the scene of the incident. Persons involved in the incident have avoided speaking with the Task Force, while Mohammed Ali and others who were in the Mahindra pickup truck and fired shots from their vehicle have also refused to cooperate. Their accounts have, therefore, not been established. Mohammed Ali is said to have been flown abroad for further treatment.
“The late Yusif Larri Idriss died from a gunshot wound and those who were in the Mahindra pickup with him know what happened. The driver of the Mahindra has been traced and further investigations are ongoing. The Task Force will continue its investigations,” he stated.
What the MP has said
In response, Phyllis Okunor described the report as “inconclusive.”
The legislator insisted she never denied being attacked, contradicting the minister’s briefing to the nation two days earlier.
“I have remained quiet despite calls by well-meaning Ghanaians, including my constituents, who witnessed these brutal attacks. At no time did I say no attack happened. I stated emphatically to the task force that on election day, during my rounds, I noticed my convoy was being followed by a V8 vehicle allegedly known to be used by Hawa Koomson and a NADMO pickup, which had a green government number plate.
“After visiting some polling stations, I decided to go home because I felt my life was in danger. So, I am convinced that at the conclusion of this investigation, the truer facts will emerge. On the issue of unwillingness of persons who witnessed these acts to testify, this is entirely out of my control,” she said.
She continued, “There are videos of some of these attacks and these are available for the committee to aid their work. Friends of the media, does the unwillingness to eyewitness and victims to testify mean these documented acts of killings didn’t happen? Even if there is records of loss of life and injuries.”
She denied ever saying that she was not attacked by the alleged thugs.
“I would have waited for the investigations to conclude before speaking. But I cannot keep quiet over an inconclusive report as clearly stated by our honourable Minister for Interior during his press briefing. And officially I have not given my written statement to the police yet due to the ill-treatment during the 2020 election violence.”
The NDC MP added, “Therefore, statements on the media are inaccurate and not mine. Let me end by saying that as the citizen member of the good people of Awutu Senya East Constituency, I consider myself a mother for all.
“I have therefore encouraged reconciliation and unity amongst all the rank and file of the party. And I would encourage the tax force to stick to exactly what I told them for fairness and prosperity.”
The MP’s response appears to conflict with what the minister said.
Hawa Koomson’s reaction
Meanwhile, the former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has demanded an apology.
She said she was subjected to reprisal attacks and abuse during the Ablekuma North by-election because of the allegations leveled against her by the lawmaker that she had orchestrated the attacks.
According to her, the physical attack on her nearly resulted in her demise.
“It is pertinent to highlight that the unfounded accusations, orchestrated and led by the then parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress, Ms Phyllis Naa Koryoo, precipitated an unjustified and unprovoked attack against me during the Ablekuma North by-election a few months ago, an incident that nearly cost me my life,” she posted on Facebook on November 5, 2025.
Koomson, also a former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, insisted that she has always maintained her innocence regarding the allegations, accusing her successor of using the incident to further her own interests.
She said that it is only right for her accusers to apologise for their allegations and false accusations.
I cannot keep quiet to an inconclusive report – NDC MP replies interior minister over election violence
“Concerning the disturbances that transpired on the night of the elections in the Awutu Senya East Constituency, the findings reported by the investigative team have substantiated my initial assertion that I bear no responsibility for the violence, which tragically resulted in the loss of an innocent life.
“While she may have derived some advantage from these baseless allegations, I sincerely hope that those who have wrongfully accused me will possess the integrity to issue a full and unequivocal apology for the trauma I have endured,” Koomson added.
MAG/AE
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