Minority demands dismissal of Hanna Bisiw and Malik Basintale over Ablekuma North violence

The Minority in Parliament has condemned Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Malik Basintale, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), for what they described as the celebration and endorsement of the violence that rocked the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun.

Their criticism follows the events of Friday, July 11, when former Fisheries Minister Hawa Koomson was reportedly attacked by unidentified individuals at the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station. The incident disrupted voting temporarily before order was restored.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Wednesday, July 16, the Atiwa West MP Laurette Korkor called on the President to immediately dismiss both Hanna Bisiw and Malik Basintale from their positions.

“President Mahama must immediately dismiss Dr. Hanna Louisa Bissiw from her position as CEO of the Minerals Development Fund and Malik Basintale from his role as Acting CEO of the Youth
Employment Agency. Their celebration and justification of violence against opposition figures disqualifies them from holding any public office. This dismissal must happen to demonstrate that the government does not condone political violence,” The Minority demanded.

The Minority described comments made by the two NDC officials as a “new low” in Ghana’s political discourse.

They cited remarks by Dr. Bisiw-Kotei, who in a recent media interview said, “violence begets violence,” calling it the most damaging response to the Ablekuma North incident.

The Minority also referenced a Facebook post by Malik Basintale, in which he jokingly referred to one of the men who allegedly intervened to stop Hawa Koomson from further deploying pepper spray, saying he would name him the “Flying Python” and appoint him to head a “5K Airforce.”

The Minority further argued that such comments from public officials tasked with promoting youth welfare and women’s empowerment are incompatible with democratic governance and pose a direct threat to Ghana’s constitutional order.

“Both officials hold senior positions in President Mahama’s government, and their inflammatory rhetoric actively undermines Ghana’s democratic institutions. Their words embolden further lawlessness and signal to potential perpetrators that violence will be excused, justified, and even celebrated by the governing party.

“Such statements from public officials charged with upholding the rule of law are fundamentally incompatible with democratic governance and constitute a direct threat to Ghana’s constitutional order,” The Minority stated.