Hanna Bissiw Defends Assault on Hawa Koomson, Says ‘Violence Begets Violence’ Amid Ablekuma North Chaos

By Joylinda Laryea / July 11, 2025

Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Development Fund and National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Hanna Louisa Bissiw, has sparked public outrage after justifying the assault on former Fisheries Minister, Hawa Koomson, during the chaotic parliamentary election rerun in Ablekuma North.

Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV, Dr. Bissiw stated emphatically that she does not sympathize with Koomson, claiming the former MP has a history of inciting or leading violence herself. "Violence begets violence. If you live by the sword, you’ll die by the sword," Bissiw declared.

Her comments follow violent incidents at the St. Peter’s Society polling station where Koomson and NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Afriyie were physically attacked by unknown individuals. Koomson was reportedly kicked to the ground and assaulted in full view of the police.

Recalling her own alleged experience, Dr. Bissiw claimed, “I was beaten because she [Hawa Koomson] led thugs to come and beat me up. Has she forgotten?” She suggested the attack on Koomson may have been retribution, though she was quick to assert that the NDC was not behind the incident.

“Nobody sent anyone to go and beat her. As far as I am concerned, it may even be an internal something that they visited on her,” Bissiw claimed, implying the NPP might be dealing with internal factional violence.

Despite her inflammatory remarks, Dr. Bissiw maintained that the NDC is committed to peace and has no need to disrupt an election they were confident of winning. “We are taking the day, and we do not have any need to destroy the elections because we are winning,” she insisted.

Dr. Bissiw, however, stood firm in her refusal to express any remorse over Koomson’s ordeal. “I condemn violence, but don’t ask me to feel sorry for Hawa Koomson because I’ll be lying before you and before God. I don’t feel sorry one bit,” she said, adding that Koomson “should be used to violence by now.”

Her comments have drawn mixed reactions online, with critics accusing her of endorsing political violence and deepening partisan tensions.

The Ablekuma North rerun, involving 19 polling stations, was held to break a parliamentary deadlock stemming from the December 2024 general election, after disputes over the validity of results in some polling stations led to a partial nullification.