HAWA YAKUBU: The Mother of All

She lived and died for a cause worthy of emulation. Her background is a humble one. Yet the height she attained is irrevokably remarkable. Few people with low beginnings are able to build up such confidence necessary to reach greater feats. Madam Hawa Yakubu is gone leaving behind the record as STRONG WOMAN with traits of a lion who fights relentlessly.

To many she was a politician, to others she a life wire, and yet to many others she was business woman with lots of connections. But to us, she was a caring, inspiring, and motivating mother. A mother indeed she was that at all times, either her in Ghana, Nigeria or London, you could count not less than twenty people around her at all times. She hardly had space to rest from meeting people and solving their financial, family and personal problems. She was always at centre of events doing best what she is called upon to do. I am sure that one great trait of her is her frankness and readiness at all times to call a spade, spade. It didn't matter who was involved, Hawa would say what she thinks is the truth. She speaks out her mind without fear or favor. This obviously attracted some enemies to her. But we are not going to discuss them. What is important for us is to rededicate and commit to the resolve of fighting on the good fight she started.

Hawa lived and died fighting for the poor and less privileged. She single handedly as recently as last year raised funds for the dying children in Dafur. Her belief in Pan Africanism was undisputable. Hawa also lived for the voiceless and always tried to be a voice for the voiceless even if it was her lonely voice. When all everyone avoided parliament and left to the NDC she offered herself and gave them a hell of time. That is how she earned the name iron lady. An iron indeed she was so long we are talking about the firmness and the strength of an iron but she was flexible too. Again, Mommy as some us called her believed in bridging teh gap between the North and South and advocated for respect for the Northerner in national affairs. She was not tribal. She was a liberal who even offered support to members of her opposing political party once she saw some good in the individual. She stood for the youth empowerment and always concerned herself with what happened at the students front especially at the NUGS level. Hawa brought her contacts and connections to help build relationships between not only our government and governments of other nations but among even none Ghanaian governments. Her belief in a women playing leading role in our socio-politico-economic advance took her to liberia to support the current president Madam Sirleaf Johnson in both material and mental means.

She shall be remembered always. Human as she was, she definitely was not without mistakes. Nontheless, she lived her life so well that many today are in tears and wish that lived a little longer. We in YAG shall work hand in hand with the Hawa Foundation to keep Hawa Yakubu's dream alive. She believed that we could make this country a happy place for all without killing or exploiting one another.

May soul rest in peace. She left behind Derek, Amanda and DD. Our heartfelt condelences go to our brother and sisters. We urge all who have been affected in one way or the other by the life of Hawa to learn to extend a hand to others who need them too. That is life's essence.

God be with us all.

James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr Executive Director
Youth for Action Ghana
P.O Box CT 1370
Accra, Ghana