Minority Demands Immediate Dismissal of Hanna Bissiw and Malik Basintale Over Ablekuma North Incident

 

The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately relieve Dr. Hanna Louisa Bissiw-Kotei, the National Women's Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Malik Basintale, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), of their duties following what it describes as the glorification of political violence during the Ablekuma North by-election rerun.

The call follows the assault of former Fisheries Minister, Hawa Koomson, by unidentified individuals at the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station on July 11, 2025. The incident disrupted voting temporarily until order was restored.

At a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Member of Parliament for Atiwa West, Laurette Korkor Asante, condemned statements made by the two NDC officials, calling them “a new low” in Ghana’s political environment.

One of the comments under fire was made by Dr. Bissiw-Kotei, who stated in an interview, “violence begets violence,” in reference to the Ablekuma North events. The Minority described the remark as inflammatory and irresponsible.

Malik Basintale also drew criticism for a Facebook post in which he mockingly praised a man who allegedly stopped Koomson from using pepper spray, referring to him as the “Flying Python” and suggesting he should be appointed to lead a fictional “5K Airforce.”

The Minority asserts that such comments from public officials, especially those responsible for youth development and women’s empowerment, are inappropriate and detrimental to the country's democratic values.

“These officials hold senior roles in President Mahama’s administration, and their rhetoric encourages lawlessness,” the Minority stated. “Their words not only condone violence but signal to potential offenders that such actions are acceptable and even commendable within the ruling party.”

They further argued that statements of this nature undermine the rule of law and threaten Ghana’s constitutional governance.

The Minority has therefore demanded the immediate dismissal of both Dr. Bissiw-Kotei and Mr. Basintale to uphold democratic accountability and prevent further erosion of public trust in national institute.

Source: The Ghana Report