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Ablekuma North has brought into sharp focus the menace of woman beaters, who in their youth specialized in picking quarrels with girls. The few fights they ever won were not with male counterparts. Such boys grew up to be incurable wife beaters and may have chosen Ablekuma to extend their negative skills. But housewives were smarter those days. Whenever a heated argument started with the big man, they inched towards the kitchen which doubled as their armory: saucepans, ladles, bread knives, forks. The deadliest ammunition was the pestle, whose extra duties beyond pounding, remained confidential. How many husbands ever admit having been chased away with pestles on returning home late? It was however admitted that a little brawl between wife and husband was often the tonic desired to bait a delayed last born.
Three decades into the 4th Republic when democracies are blooming all over, Ghana’s polling stations have become battle grounds; and a decision by the EC to re-run Ablekuma was also a signal to re-run for cover. No wonder our peaceful country has slipped from 2nd to the 4th position in the regional peace index. The signs were clear long ago when any news of a legislator’s death, triggered more panic than grief: the fear of a by-election where men of muscle from various corners, converged in one constituency. Chances for peace are greater where the widow herself decides to contest, to speed up her own recovery by wiping her tears with votes. In situations of strange re-runs like July 11 where polling stations in question jumped overnight from three to 19, and there were no sobbing widows on the ballot, it was a declaration of war. This is made worse if an incumbent government vows by any possible means, to ‘beat the eight,’ ‘cheat the eight’ or ‘end the eight.’
No wonder the choice of a party flagbearer these days has become a search for tough, ‘macho’ contestants who can mobilize warriors at short notice to snatch ballot papers or chew and swallow pink sheets.
We started veering off long ago when a little violence became the norm in re-runs and by-elections. But our past sins put us to shame. Consider this sample of constituencies and the outcome of by-elections. Chereponi 2009, badge of shame: one death, homes and properties burnt, civil strife; Akwatia 2009, badge of boo: military deployment, several injuries, one death; Atiwa 2010, citation of contempt: stones and bottles hurled, parliamentary candidate attacked, security intervention; 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon, certificate of boo: national security operatives in masks, heavily armed, several injured, a member of parliament assaulted.
January 2025. Here comes JM, a mega statesman with a grand agenda to reset our battered democracy, and put us on a new path: his legacy for future generations. The new era has no room for vengeance: ‘two wrongs do not make a right.’ The first major test, Ablekuma North. Check the certification: heightened violence, truckloads of militants, throat slashing gestures, woman beaters. You may call this a clear act of self-sabotage, that erodes JM’s humble gains and winds his clock to sub-zero levels.
Live TV cameras captured the evolving history. At one polling station characterized by scuffles with police, and general stampede, a human missile flew past onlookers and in a split second struck a target, jolting several others. Police looked on. The target, a 60year old woman and ex-minister of state Hawa Koomson, hit the ground wincing. A mother of three; had she survived? She received further kicks on the floor, to seal the deal. Survived but traumatized, clothes messed up, bare body exposed. Womanhood violated. Stunned crowds looked on in horror as the battered victim was helped to her feet to limp off the crime scene. Around the country, dinners turned cold; heads shook in horror; democracy under siege; women at risk. The Black Star humbled. But hear the shocking response of state officials including women.
A past legislator, and women’s organizer for the ruling party, while condemning the violence, blatantly said she could not extend sympathies to the lady victim. She recounted her own victimization in the past claiming Hawa was the instigator.
Another lady Government official applauded the assault as a welcome move to protect the ‘integrity of the ballot.’ One top officer in charge of Youth was so contented he conferred on the ‘criminal,’ the glamorous title, ‘Flying Python,’ In the Legislature the Majority leader, often soft spoken played down the assault as only a ‘child’s play.’ No word yet from JDM who is President of Ghana, not President of a Party. His Vice, our beloved Jane, the next highest official was not angry enough; she extended general sympathies to victims; no reference to womanhood. Then came the Interior Minister who promises prosecution of criminals involved, but also treated us like toys. Despite several video clips in evidence, he hinted that the assailant may have fled the country.
To date, the police are still searching for culprits and presumably handcuffs, as more militants prepare across the country for the next war. All roads now lead to a heightened bloodbath: Akwatia by-elections.
One of these days our women, will rise to the occasion in the name of democracy: and embark on a marathon street protest, chasing executive woman beaters and their cheer leaders. Weapon recommended: PESTLES.
Human Missile in Motion
Pestle for Pounding and Domestic Self Defense
