Mavis Hawa Koomson, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Women's Organiser, is advocating for the legalisation of pepper spray in Ghana to enable women to carry it for personal protection. She made this statement on Adom FM's Burning Issues, highlighting her personal experience during the violent Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun as a key reason for her stance. Koomson revealed that she has carried pepper spray for several years without anyone, including security personnel, knowing about it.
Koomson's call for the legalisation of pepper spray comes after her experience during the Ablekuma North rerun in July 2025, where she used pepper spray during an assault. She described the action as self-defence and emphasised the importance of having a means of protection when confronted with danger. The incident demonstrated to her that even law enforcement officers may not always be available to protect individuals, making it necessary for women to have access to self-defence tools like pepper spray.
The NPP National Women's Organiser pointed out that practices in other countries allow for pepper spray to be provided as a personal safety tool. She argued that Ghana should follow suit and formally permit the use of pepper spray, indicating her willingness to comply with any regulatory requirements, including obtaining a license if necessary. Koomson's proposal aims to help women protect themselves in potentially dangerous situations.
Koomson's latest comments revive a proposal she made during her campaign for the NPP National Women's Organiser position ahead of the party's National Delegates Conference. At the time, she pledged to make pepper spray available to NPP women, alongside personal-safety training, arguing that the item should be viewed as a protective tool rather than an instrument for confrontation. Her goal was to empower women to defend themselves.
The Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun incident was central to Koomson's position on the issue. She maintained that her experience strengthened her belief that women should have access to pepper spray for self-defence. Koomson's advocacy for pepper spray legalisation is part of her broader effort to enhance women's safety and security in Ghana.
Koomson's proposal has implications for women's safety and security in Ghana. By providing women with access to pepper spray and personal-safety training, she aims to reduce the vulnerability of women to violence and attacks. Her initiative is expected to spark a national conversation about women's safety and the role of self-defence tools in enhancing it.
The government has not yet responded to Koomson's call for the legalisation of pepper spray. However, her advocacy is likely to continue, given her experience and conviction on the matter. Three key points from Koomson's advocacy include:
Key points
- Koomson cites her personal experience during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun as a key reason for her stance on pepper spray legalisation.
- She argues that practices in other countries allow for pepper spray to be provided as a personal safety tool.
- Koomson is willing to comply with regulatory requirements, including obtaining a license if necessary, for the use of pepper spray.
