Mavis Hawa Koomson
Mavis Hawa Koomson (born 3 February 1966) is a Ghanaian politician and educationist. She is the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency and doubles as the Minister of Special Development Initiatives. She was appointed by President of Ghana Nana Akuffo-Addo on 10 January 2017 as Minister of Special Development Initiatives. Early life and education. Koomson was born in Salaga, Northern Region on 3 February 1966. She holds a diploma and a bachelor's degree in Basic Education from the University Education Winneba. She has earned a master's degree, postgraduate diploma in public administration  (CPA) and postgraduate diploma in public administration (DPA) from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Career. Koomson was a teacher by profession, occupying various positions including head teacher, assistant superintendent and Principal superintendent. She was also president of Gender Unit of the Ghana National Association of Teachers Ladies Association (GNATLAS) Sekondi local, treasurer for GNATLAS (Western Region) and secretary for GNATLAS (Takoradi local). Cabinet minister. In May 2017, President Nana Akufo-Addo named Mavis Hawa Koomson as part of nineteen ministers who would form his cabinet. The names of the 19 ministers were submitted to the Parliament of  Ghana and announced by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Ocquaye. As a Cabinet minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson is part of the inner circle of the president and is to aid in key decision-making activities in the country. She is currently the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. Controversy. In July 2020, Hawa Koomson breached security laws and fired gunshots into a crowd of citizens who were in the process of registering for the controversial voters ID card. This incident occurred in Kasoa. The Minister claimed she was informed of foreigners who had come from different  towns to register in her constituency. She regarded this as a threat to her party's victory in the upcoming elections. The Minister claimed that the act was in self-defense because she felt threatened. She responded to the invitation of the CID of the police in the Central region. Her gun was retrieved by the Central Regional police. The license covering the weapon was also retrieved when she reported to the police in Cape Coast. Personal life. She is a Christian and is married with three children.