The Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund, Dr. Hanna Bissiw-Kotei, has dismissed calls by the Minority in Parliament for her removal following remarks she made about the violence during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun.

Speaking on Citi FM on Wednesday, July 16, Dr. Bissiw-Kotei called the demands “the biggest joke of the day” and rejected accusations of insensitivity.

“Nobody can force me to sympathize with Hawa Koomson. I am not a hypocrite,” she said.

• Read also: Dismiss Basintale, Hannah Bissiw over Ablekuma North re-run violence – Minority to gov’t

The Minority had also called for the dismissal of the acting CEO of the Youth Employment Agency, Malik Basintale, and Dr. Hanna Louisa Bissiw from their government positions over their alleged support for violence during the Ablekuma North rerun.

The Minority labelled the remarks by both officials “unacceptable,” arguing that such behaviour undermines efforts to promote youth and women’s empowerment and called for their immediate removal.

On the back of this, Dr. Bissiw-Kotei denied any wrongdoing, stating that her comments were misinterpreted and that she condemns all forms of violence.

• Read also: Ablekuma North rerun: I don’t feel sorry for Hawa Koomson; she deserves it – Hannah Bissiw

“I am a direct victim of Hawa Koomson’s actions. Nobody can compel me to sympathize with her,” she said, adding that both she and Mr Basintale remain focused on their respective mandates.

The controversy stems from reports of an alleged assault on former Fisheries Minister Hawa Koomson at the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station on July 11 during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun in 16 polling stations.

The Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund stated that she had no sympathy for former Awutu Senya MP after she was reportedly assaulted.

According to Dr Hannah Louisa Bissiw, she was once a victim of political violence allegedly orchestrated by Madam Koomson.

“My word to the very person who attacked me, who brought thugs to attack me as a former Member of Parliament during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election. She came with about 30 thugs to me; I was beaten,” she recounted.