[ad_1]
Regional news for Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Source: Takyi Boadu, Contributor
2021-02-23
Designated Minister of Fisheries Mavis Hawa Koomson
The Ghana National Council of Fishermen (GNFC) has endorsed the nomination of the Minister Designated for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, following the media uproar that welcomed her recent vetting in Parliament. .
According to the association, the uproar that was generated on social and traditional media after their appearance before Parliament’s ministerial inquiry committee was unnecessary and a distraction from the pertinent issues that had arisen during the exercise.
A press release published on February 23, 2021 by the association reads in part: “As fishermen, our main concern and expectation is how the appointed Minister intends to address pesky issues such as Seiko, light fishing, the influx of fishing boats. foreigners and the need for a foreign vessel to carry out scientific research, among others. “
The statement further reads: “We share the sentiments of several well-intentioned Ghanaians who, from the aftermath of the research exercise, felt that proficiency in the English language is not necessarily a sign of competence. The Honorable Minister-designate will definitely work with technocrats and industry players who also care about the progress of the sector. Accordingly, we encourage the media to set the agenda for a liberal conversation on how the promises clarified in the current government’s manifesto regarding the content of the investigative exercise will be executed. ”
It will be recalled that on February 18, 2021, the designated Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, H.E. Mavis Hawa Koomson took her turn on the parliamentary ministerial inquiry committee. After the exercise, the media space was filled with comments about their perception of lack of competence in the use of the English language.
Below is the statement
SOME OF THE MEDIA AFTER THE VETATION OF THE DESIGNATED MINISTER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE, HON. MAVIS HAWA KOOMSON UNNECESSARY AND A PRIORITY OFFSET.
We have picked up on the media uproar that has greeted the recent background investigation of the Minister Designated for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, and we want to lend our voice as the industry’s leading shareholder.
Following the Minister-designate’s vetting, the traditional and social media have been inundated with comments that have largely focused on the “English proficiency” issue. It is worth noting that the banal focus on English proficiency is misplaced and diverts attention from the pertinent issues that emerged from the exercise.
As fishermen, our main concern and expectation is how the designated Minister intends to address sensitive issues such as Seiko, light fishing, the influx of foreign fishing boats and the need for a foreign boat to conduct scientific research, among others. Fortunately, she addressed these and many more.
We share the sentiments of several well-intentioned Ghanaians who, from the aftermath of the research exercise, felt that proficiency in the English language is not necessarily a sign of competence. The Honorable Minister-designate will definitely work with technocrats and industry players who also care about the progress of the sector.
Accordingly, we encourage the media to set the agenda for a liberal conversation on how the promises clarified in the current government’s manifesto regarding the content of the investigative exercise will be executed.
In conclusion, we believe that the President, His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who elected the effective outgoing Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, in his wisdom, chose the appointed Minister to fulfill his vision of the fishing industry; having assessed her competence on many fronts, including her performance as a Member of Parliament for the Awutu Senya constituency and a former Minister responsible for Special Development Initiatives.
