Hawa Koomson not fit for Fisheries Ministry - Ghana Tuna Association petitions Bagbin

Ghana Tuna Association has petitioned Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban K.S Bagbin over the nomination of Hawa Koomson as Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.

According to the group, appointing a minister, Dep. Minister and other appointees to head various portfolios in the fishing industry must hold qualities and full knowledge of the sector.

In a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, dated 19^th February 2020, cited by modernghana.com, the petition indicated that approving a minister for the fishery industry must consider major issues confronting the sector such as international trade as well as international relations.

According to the group, these issues they strongly affirm should also be part of the considerations in selecting a Minister, Deputy Ministers and other appointees to lead the fisheries sector.

“The Association, writes to bring to your attention some major issues that confront the sector and key engagements within the sector such as international trade as well as international relations that continue to inform policy direction of the sector. These issues we strongly affirm should also be part of the considerations in selecting a Minister, Deputy Ministers and other appointees to lead the fisheries sector.”

“As an industry, we have been so willing to work with any person who is appointed at the pleasure of H. E the President without raising any concern. However, recent experiences have taught us that we need as stakeholders to pick the early signals and submit our concerns to the attention of the appointing authority for whatever remedy that may be available, in order to protect our industries and businesses from decisions that are likely to impact them negatively and further collapse the sector,” portions of the petition reads.

This follows the vetting of Member of Parliament (MP) for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson as minister-designate for the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.

Hon. Hawa Koomson has been chastised by sections of the public over her exhibition of lack of knowledge of the sector when she appeared before the appointment committee for vetting.

Following her performance, the Ghana Tuna Association in its petition indicated that the sector has over the years suffered in the areas such as Pole and Line sector, skilled labour, international relationships and other emerging issues.

In view of this, the minister failed to address the challenges bedeviling the sector, hence the petition not to approve her.

"Rt. Hon. Speaker, as stakeholders within the fisheries sector particularly the tuna sector, we listened to the vetting of the Hon. Nominee for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Ministry and we are of the humble opinion that her basic skill sets, biases and passions are such that they may not fit into dealing with the challenges that the sector faces currently and the other workings expected of the sector Minister."

The appointments committee is yet to present its findings for approval of the nomination of MP for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson or not.