Hawa Koomson deserves the award; the gun-pulling incident was not a crime - Fatima Abubakar

The Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has questioned the backlash surrounding the recent National Award conferred upon the Minister of Fisheries, Mavis Hawa Koomson.

Speaking on the January 4, 2025, edition of News File on Joy News, she expressed disagreement with those criticising the award, citing her insights into the process behind these national honors.

"Respectfully, I disagree with that position, also because I have insights into the process that led to these awards. I remember sometime in April or May 2024 when I was acting as a representative of the President at our Ministry, even before I was sworn in as a substantive Minister. Letters were written to us from the Chief Director of the Presidency, informing us that the President was going to grant these national awards and honors. For the public sector, the ministry was asked to distribute them to their sector agencies and allies.

'If they have any nominations, the ministries were to compile them and submit them to the committee set up at Jubilee House for vetting. Personally, I just ministered to my Chief Director. I did not think that most of the ministers I have spoken to nominated themselves. Their names were included in nominations that came from their sectors,' she noted.

Fatimatu Abubakar pointed out that it is not unprecedented for ministers to receive national honors, suggesting that this has occurred under previous administrations.

She further expressed concern over public narratives surrounding Hawa Koomson, particularly the accusations of gun-related incidents, which she argued had not been properly adjudicated.

"People just say, 'oh, we've heard that she pulled a gun,' and then brand her as someone... Speaking as a lawyer, respectfully, senior, is pulling a gun a crime in Ghana? No, I am asking. I am asking because three of us are lawyers. Sometimes it is so sad that something is said about you, you are prosecuted in the court of public opinion and convicted by the public. Then that news continues to spread without context, without being prosecuted and convicted by a competent court of jurisdiction. But that tag, already, you will suffer defamation," she countered.

In defense of Koomson’s work, Fatimatu Abubakar highlighted her contributions in various sectors, including the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, where she led the procurement of 307 ambulances.

"In the Fisheries Ministry, Koomson played a pivotal role in setting up two of the four fishing harbors—Elmina and Jamestown—and establishing 13 landing beach sites.

"Hawa Koomson is one of the most competent women I have ever come across. And you can check her track record from every sector she has worked in. She went to the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives when there were only 55 ambulances in this country. She led the procurement and execution of 307 ambulances and the refurbishment of the national ambulance services, providing them with workshops and everything needed for delivery. That did not come up.

"When she went to the Fisheries Ministry as the sector minister, the historic record of this government in the fisheries sector includes the establishment of two of the four fishing harbors in the country—Elmina Fishing Harbor and Jamestown Fishing Harbor—during her tenure as Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, along with the establishment of 13 landing beach sites across the coastal belt. Not just that. Those of us who know her personally know her as someone who is strong-willed, aggressive when it comes to her work, and will not stop until she gets results,' she explained.

On December 30, 2024, the outgoing President presented awards to individuals for their meritorious services, hard work, sacrifices, and contributions to national development.

Watch the video below:

"Looking at Hon. Hawa Koomson, [speaking as a lawyer] is pulling a gun a crime in Ghana?"

- @Fatimatu_A on National Honours & Awards #Newsfile pic.twitter.com/T6xIDgsSyk

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) January 4, 2025