The National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mavis Hawa Koomson, has dismissed claims that the party is using allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 female students in Obuasi for political advantage.
She said she became involved because she was concerned about the students and wanted to protect girls from sexual abuse—not because of the political affiliation of the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
Responding to claims that the demonstration was politically motivated because Abdulai is reportedly linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koomson said the students deserved justice and protection, no matter their own political views or those of their families.
“… And even if they are members of the NDC, they have the right to have justice in this country. They have the right to be protected,” she said on Eyewitness News on Friday, November 6, after leading members of the NPP Women’s Wing in a demonstration in Obuasi.
Madam Koomson also asked what political advantage the NPP could gain by demonstrating over allegations involving students whose political affiliations were not known.
“What are we gaining from this? I want you to remember that those girls, we don’t even know their political colours. We don’t know the political colours of their parents,” she said.
She explained that her concern was not only linked to her position as the NPP’s National Women’s Organiser. It also came from her experiences as a mother, grandmother and former teacher.
“Not because I’m a National Women’s Organizer. I’m not fighting because I’m a National Women’s Organizer. I’m fighting because I have an interest in this case,” she stated.
She added that she would feel just as concerned if one of her children or grandchildren faced similar treatment at an educational institution.
“I’m fighting because I’m also a mother. I’m fighting because I have grandchildren who are female. I wouldn’t want to see any of my grandchildren going through that ordeal. I wouldn’t be happy to see a teacher taking my daughter through that,” she said.