Kasoa Shooting: NDC PC Presents Motorbikes To Victims, Demands For Justice

Parliamentary Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor has presented three motorbikes to victims of the shooting incidents during the voter registration exercise in the constituency.

Hon. Hawa Koomson fired gunshots at the Step to Christ registration centre at CP Electoral area in the constituency during the voter registration exercise amidst beaten, by at least 15 hoodlums allegedly from her camp, set ablaze three motorbikes and dismantled mobile phones of some electorates.

The Parliamentary Candidate, Phyllis Naa Koryoo is however demanding justice be served and the perpetrators brought to book.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that prior to the incident, the Hon. Member in a car was accompanied by bodyguards arrived at the registration centre and demanded anyone not part of the registration exercise should move away.

Hawa Koomson who doubles as the Minister for Special Development Initiatives confirmed the shooting but claim she fired the gunshot in self-defense.

Victims of the motorbikes reportedly rely on the motorbikes for commercial purposes popularly known as Okada in the constituency. However, three months after the incidents, justice is yet to be served.

According to Phyllis Naa Koryoo, she purchased the motorbikes to keep the riders in business. "I bought the motorbikes because most of the guys that lost their bikes through the mayhem are okada riders, so I decided to buy the motorbikes to keep them in business."

Speaking, she said, the police administration is handling the case with kids gloves.

She stressed, that after severe mayhem perpetuated on the people of Kasoa by hoodlums accompanied by the MP, the posture by the police administration suggests unwilling desire to apprehend the perpetrators.

She said subsequent follower ups to the national CID headquarters to demand justice for the victims has proved futile.

"...Now, we have followed the case even up to the CID headquarters in Accra but nothing has been done."

"We know that we live in country that is govern by rule of law but till now justice has not been served to the good people that had their motorbikes burnt, to the people that had their phones dismantled and the people who were injured."

Moving in to the heat of the campaign, she pledged her support towards peace in the constituency before, during and after the December 7 elections, however will resist oppressive conducts in all forms.

"This is not the time to sit aloof and wait for someone to beat our people. The people of Kasoa will speak. The people of Kasoa will rise against all the odds. The people of Kasoa will rise against any violent by any political party within this election," she said.

The Crime Officer who was in charge of investigations in the shooting incident involving the minister has been transferred from the Central Region to the Eastern Region.

Chief Supt Mr Reuben Asiwoko who was in charge of Regional Crime in the Central Region information available indicates was determined to investigate the matter to prosecute perpetrators. But the case was subsequently transferred to the National headquarters and the CID transferred.

The act received massive condemnation from the public, with many calling for her resignation and subsequent prosecution.

Security experts, religious organizations including the Christian Council as well as neutral observers like the National Peace Council called for her resignation or dismissal, however, President Akufo-Addo in a sweeping statement, only said the Police Service must deal decisively with those involved in the violence.

The central regional branch of the National Peace Council further requested to be served with the report on the case but to no avail.