In a moment of unexpected warmth and camaraderie, the atmosphere at the funeral of the later Enoch Teye Mensah, popularly known as E.T Mensah shifted when Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary of the party, greeted Alan Kyerematen with a unique and lighthearted gesture.
As the seasoned politician approached, Mr Nketiah, surprised the crowd by playfully flapping his hands like a butterfly.
In a video that quickly gained traction on social media, Asiedu Nketiah, encountering Alan Kyerematen at the funeral service of the late legislator for Ningo-Prampram, Enoch Teye Mensah, was captured engaging in a lighthearted moment. The footage showed Nketiah playfully flapping his hands in a butterfly-like motion, directing attention to Alan Kyerematen amid shared laughter.
The playful gesture from Asiedu Nketiah elicited laughter from fellow NDC dignitaries who witnessed the light-hearted exchange between Alan Kyerematen and Asiedu Nketiah.
The Butterfly is the symbol for the political movement, Movement for Change.
While addressing and educating Ghanaians on his political movement, Alan Kyeremanten explained that, the butterfly is the symbol of transformation, the symbol of renewal and growth.
He believes his movement would cause a radical change in the Ghanaian political space and will carry the flag of Ghana high.
Alan Kyerematen formed Movement of Change briefly after his failure to secure the flagbearer seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
While exiting the NPP to form his own political movement to contest as an independent candidate, he explained that he had to leave because the party has deviated from its founding principles and beliefs.
Come December 7, 2024, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen would be competing against NDC’s John Dramani Mahama and the NPP’s Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and any other candidate that may turn up to contest for Ghana’s highest office.
Prominent officials from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) paid their respects at the funeral of the late former Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Enoch Teye Mensah, on Friday, January 5.
The State House hosted a state burial service to honour the Ghanaian statesman.
The former Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Council of State member was laid to rest following the state burial service.
Notable figures from the Ghana FA, including Executive Council member Nana Oduro Sarfo, joined the mourning alongside Executive Council members Eugene Nobel Noel and Samuel Aboabire, as well as GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo.
E.T Mensah, instrumental in establishing the Ghana Football Association Technical Centre at Prampram, passed away in South Africa in October 2023 after a period of ill health.
He served as a Member of Parliament forNingo Prampram from January 1997 to January 2017 and held the position of Minister of Education at one point.
President Akufo-Addo has paid homage to the late Enoch Teye Mensah, a distinguished Council of State member and former Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram.
Expressing profound sorrow, the President conveyed deep sadness at the demise of E.T. Mensah, recognizing the substantial impact of his passing.
He noted that it will take him a considerable amount of time to recover from the loss.
“He was a warm, generous, gregarious man with a keen intellect and wonderful sense of humour. In his element, you could find no better company, and he was a good source of advice for me as President of the Republic. I have lost a good friend, Ghana has lost a worthy patriot,” he said.
The tribute added a personal touch to the remembrance of E.T. Mensah, reflecting the close relationship between the two.
Chairman for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has offered a heartfelt tribute to the late E.T. Mensah, an esteemed stalwart of the party.
Asiedu Nketiah characterized him as a senior and dynamic colleague who left a profound impact on young parliamentarians during his tenure in Parliament.
He observed that the late Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram was held in high regard by nearly all the young MPs from both sides of the House until his passing.
During an interview at the burial grounds of the late ET Mensah (the forecourt of the State House) on Friday, Asiedu Nketiah said the late Council of State member was among the MPs who approached and suggested that he contest to become the NDC’s general secretary after deciding to leave Parliament to pursue a PhD.
He emphasized that he secured the position despite former President Rawlings and other stalwarts of the NDC supporting their respective candidates, attributing his success to the work and support provided by the group of MPs that endorsed him for the position.
“Something he did, which I will never forget, is that he was part of the group of MPs who recommended me to become the NDC general secretary when I was leaving Parliament after twelve years to pursue my PhD. ET Mensah, Doe Adjaho, Alban Bagbin, John Dramani Mahama, and a few others came together and suggested that the party needed a firebrand, and I did not have a pesewa at the time.”
“All the seniors in the party had their candidates, but with the backing of ET Mensah, Doe Adjaho, Collins Dauda, John Mahama, and others who pledged to work in their constituencies to ensure my election, I became the general secretary of the NDC,” Asiedu Nketiah added.
Mr. Mensah died in South Africa at the age of 77 in October 2023 after battling ill health for some time. His body was later brought to Ghana in the same month.
Enoch Teye Mensah (born May 17, 1946) was a Minister for Education and a Member of Parliament in Ghana from January 1997 till January 2017.
He held several portfolios in government. Until his demise, he was a member of the Council of State.
His funeral service was held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra on Friday, January 5, 2024.
Honorable Evangelist Dr. Enoch Teye Mensah, commonly known as E.T. Mensah, was born on May 17, 1946, in Koforidua, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
His parents, Mr. Emmanuel Teye Mensah (also known as E.T. Mensah Snr or Niitse Goldsmith), a highly esteemed goldsmith, and Madam Elizabeth Nartehkuor Nartey, a draper, both hailed from Afutu Wem and Adjoka Wem of the Kley Abordo Clan in Prampram, part of the Greater Accra Region.
EARLY YEARS OF LIFE & EDUCATION
Honorable E.T. Mensah commenced his early education at Koforidua Methodist Primary School and later transferred to Akorabo Methodist Primary and Middle School near Suhum in the Eastern Region, following his parents’ relocation.
In 1958, his family moved to Ashaiman, near Tema, where he continued his middle school education at the Akodzo Middle School in Tema Community One. He completed his middle school education in 1962, achieving a distinction in the Middle School Leaving Certificate Exams.
Subsequently, he relocated to Mamprobi-Dansoman, Accra, to live with his elder brother, the late S.N. Mensah, who worked at Accra City Council (now Accra Metropolitan Assembly, AMA).
In 1964, E.T. Mensah attended the SNAPS College of Accountancy and Secretaryship at Asylum Down, Accra. Excelling in his studies, he was recognised as the best student when he took the Royal Society of Arts Examination. Consequently, he was employed as a tutor at the college.
Later, he established the Institute of Business Education (IBE) in Mamprobi, focusing on Business and Management Studies, where he served as the head.
E.T. Mensah’s educational journey continued with notable achievements, earning a Master of Arts (MA) certificate in Theological Studies and a Doctor of Ministry (PhD) certificate from Vision International University, Ramona, California. He graduated as the valedictorian at the ceremony.
Additionally, he held the title of Fellow of Good Standing in the Institute of Financial Accountants (IAA) and was a member of the National Association of Public Accountants (USA) and the Institute of Public Accountants (FIBA), Australia.
SPORTING ACTIVITIES
While at Akodzo Middle School, E.T. Mensah played a pivotal role in the school’s football team, showcasing excellence that earned him a recruitment to the now-defunct Tema Hurricanes Football Club. Playing alongside notable teammates like goalkeeper Peter Shallowa, Ofori Mambo, and the late King Pele, he contributed to making the Tema Hurricanes a formidable force in the Ghana Football League. The team posed a significant challenge to renowned clubs such as Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak during their tenure in the league.
Subsequently, E.T. Mensah was enlisted to play for Auroras and Hearts of Oak between 1967 and 1976. He shared the field with football icons like Sam Amarteifio, Addo Odametey, Tommy Vanderpuije, Mohammed Polo, and Anas Seidu, among others.
During the early days of Tommy Thompson’s chairmanship at Accra Hearts of Oak, E.T. Mensah became a member of the Welfare Committee, contributing to the team’s successes in Africa Club competitions.
E.T. Mensah’s football prowess during his school years caught the attention of Lever Brothers (Gh) Ltd. (now Unilever Gh. Ltd.), leading to his employment to play for the company’s team in the Tema Inter Departmental Football League during the early 1960s. He also traveled with the team to participate in matches in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Hon. Dr. Evangelist E.T. Mensah’s illustrious career as a public servant and esteemed politician has earned him admiration from individuals within and beyond the borders of Ghana. His journey encompassed diverse roles, showcasing his dedication and competence.
Beginning his professional journey as a college tutor, E.T. Mensah went on to serve as a headmaster, auditor, senior accounts clerk, and accountant. His multifaceted experience reflects his commitment to public service and administrative excellence.
E.T. Mensah garnered international recognition as a Fellow of the American Biographical Institute and participated as a Member of the World Conference of Mayors. Additionally, he held membership in the Ghana Institute of Management, further highlighting his involvement in professional and global networks.
POLITICAL LIFE AND ACTIVISM
Whilest working at theUniversity of Ghana, Legon continued with his activism, where he joined a Left-wing political study group comprising notable political stalwarts such as the Late Prof. Kwesi Botchway, Comrades Tsatsu Tsikata, Fui Tsikata, Prof. Kwame Karikari, Prof. Takyiwaa Manu, Akoto Ampaw and others. This group later culminated in the now-defunct New Democratic Movement (NDM). The group set up study cells across the country to educate working people on the tenets and principles of the class struggle for emancipation.
E.T. and two other colleagues, namely Professor Botchway and the late Abraham Dodoo, a senior civil servant, signed the first policy document of the group, the New Democratic Movement (NDM). This group worked assiduously to raise the political consciousness of mainly workers across the country.
It was no wonder, many of the members joined the revolutionary waggon of December 31; he was instrumental in the 1981 coup detat led by the late President Rawlings.
Hon. Evangelist Dr. E. T. Mensah, as a politician, was the PNDC Metropolitan Secretary for Accra (Mayor of Accra), the capital city of Ghana, for ten (10) years (1982–1992). During his tenure of office as Mayor, Accra witnessed many developmental projects that were unprecedented in history of Ghana. He was the architect of how the city of Accra looks like today.
In 1992, when the country was ushered into democratic governance, Hon. ET Mensah became the Deputy PNDC Secretary for Youth and Sports. By dint of hard work, dedication and valour, he was promoted to substantive minister of Youth and Sports from April 1993 to January 2001.
He was the sports minister who turned sports around in Ghana. He introduced Professional Football and Premiere League. Clubs were directed to register as corporate entities. He also introduced Sports Policy, Player Transfer and Sponsorship Programmes. The National Youth Policy was also rolled out in 1999.
He was a Founding Member, National Youth Organizer and Vice Chairman of theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) for many years. He was a Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Constituency for an unprecedented five (5) consecutive terms as Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing (He also acted as Minister of Education and Agriculture).
He served as a Member of Government Taskforce to oversee the implementation of the President’s Priority Projects at the Office of the President.
E.T. MENSAH AND PRAMPRAM
As a native and royal of the Kley Abordo Clan of Prampram, Hon. Dr. Evangelist E.T. Mensah dedicated himself to elevating the status of Prampram, a region that historically served as a trading route to the coast before independence.
During his tenure as Mayor of Accra (AMA), he exerted considerable effort to secure advancements for Prampram and Ningo communities. In 1987, his diligent work led to the extension of electricity to these areas.
Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the reconstruction and paving of the road from Dawhuenya (Prampram junction) to the main town, addressing its deplorable condition. E.T. Mensah also spearheaded the construction of a bridge over the Djange Lagoon, significantly reducing travel time from Old Ningo to ten miles from the previous twenty miles.
Furthermore, the late E.T. Mensah played a crucial role in the establishment of the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly, showcasing his commitment to local governance and community development.
E.T. MENSAH, A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE.
ET was unanimously elected as a member of the Council of State with a one hundred percent majority vote to represent the Greater Accra Region in 2021, where he remained an active seating member until his untimely death.
As a native and royal of the Kley Abordo Clan of Prampram, Hon. Dr. Evangelist E.T. Mensah dedicated himself to elevating the status of Prampram, a region that historically served as a trading route to the coast before independence.
During his tenure as Mayor of Accra (AMA), he exerted considerable effort to secure advancements for Prampram and Ningo communities. In 1987, his diligent work led to the extension of electricity to these areas. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the reconstruction and paving of the road from Dawhuenya (Prampram junction) to the main town, addressing its deplorable condition. E.T. Mensah also spearheaded the construction of a bridge over the Djange Lagoon, significantly reducing travel time from Old Ningo to ten miles from the previous twenty miles.
Furthermore, the late E.T. Mensah played a crucial role in the establishment of the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly, showcasing his commitment to local governance and community development.
A state burial service is currently taking place at the forecourt of the State House on January 5, 2024, in honour of the late Enoch Teye Mensah, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram and ex-Minister of Sports, who passed away in October 2023.
During the commemorative anniversary of the 2023 edition of the 31st December Revolution in Accra, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the party to undertake a thorough house cleaning.
He alleges that there is significant decadence within the main opposition party.
Kwetey, speaking at the event, emphasised that the NDC’s challenges surpass those of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“There is real decay and that decay continues to be in the NDC today. So, I don’t want us, the NDC, to pretend that December 31 is simply a day to bash the NPP; (the) NPP is not the issue; the issue is bigger than the NPP.
“The decay even within the NDC must stop with that blazing fire and that is what this business is about,” a charged Kwetey submitted.
He stressed that unless the NDC rids itself of internal decay, the 2024 victory will be meaningless.
Let the Chairman and the Leader of the NDC dare come out and sack the General Secretary if they have the “balls” to do so. pic.twitter.com/afOXJrIKtb
“It is in vain if we win power only to continue what we see, only to do some of the things that we are seeing and only to claim we are doing less; that is not enough,” he cautioned.
On the commemoration of the second coming into office of former President Jerry John Rawlings as a military leader on December 31, 1981, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey’s comments have stirred excitement from former Deputy General Secretary Samuel Koku Anyidoho.
In response to Kwetey’s assertion that the NDC needed to address internal issues, Anyidoho suggested that his previous expulsion from the party was a result of making similar calls.
He challenged the current chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and the party’s leader, John Dramani Mahama, to take comparable action against Kwetey.
Anyidoho pointed out that Asiedu Nketiah, as the former party scribe, supervised the process that led to his expulsion for alleged anti-party conduct.
“Let the Chairman and the Leader of the NDC dare come out and sack the General Secretary if they have the “balls” to do so,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The burial service of the late E.T. Mensah, a revered figure in our community, is ongoing at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.
Friends, families, loved ones and sympathisers have all converged at the premises to pay their last respect to the renowned politician.
Ahead of the final burial service, the mortal remains of the late Enoch Teye Mensah were accorded the honour of lying in state at his Prampram residence on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5 to 10 pm. This pre-burial arrangement provided an opportunity for friends, family, and the community to pay their respects and bid farewell to the departed statesman.
Enoch Teye Mensah, aged 77, died in South Africa in October 2023 after a long period of ill health.
The mortal remains of the former Member of Parliament arrived in Ghana from South Africa on 10 October 2024.
Known as E.T. Mensah, he served as a Minister for Education and a Member of Parliament in Ghana from January 1997 to January 2017.
He was married with seven children and was a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics.
The concluding chapter in the life of Enoch Teye Mensah, the former Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram constituency and esteemed Council of State member, is set to unfold on Friday, January 5.
The poignant final burial service is scheduled to take place at the Forecourt of the State House, providing a solemn platform for friends, family, and well-wishers to bid their last farewell to the respected political figure.
Ahead of the final burial service, the mortal remains of the late Enoch Teye Mensah will be accorded the honor of lying in state at his Prampram residence on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5 to 10 pm.
This pre-burial arrangement offers an opportunity for friends, family, and the community to pay their respects and bid a farewell to the departed statesman.
Enoch Teye Mensah, aged 77, breathed his last in South Africa in October 2023 after bravely facing a prolonged period of ill health.
The mortal remains of the late former Member of Parliament arrived in Ghana from South Africa on October 10, 2023.
Known as E.T. Mensah, he served as a Minister for Education and a Member of Parliament in Ghana from January 1997 to January 2017.
He was married with seven children and was a respected figure in Ghanaian politics.
Mr Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has chastised the party for allegedly failing to pay tribute to its late member, Enoch Teye Mensah, popularly known as E.T Mensah.
The former Minister of State and Council of State Member passed away on the evening of Sunday, October 1, while undergoing medical treatment in South Africa. He was 77 years old.
Since then, many prominent individuals including President Akufo-Addo have eulogised E.T Mensah.
In his tribute, the president stated that E.T Mensah served as a valuable source of advice during his time in office.
“I have lost a good friend,” the president mourned in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 03.
“The death of a friend of long standing brings up so many emotions – grief, sense of loss, sadness, reflections on friendship, reminiscences on a generation, the stark reality of mortality, the prospects of eternity, the presence of the Living God.”
“Even though we were on different sides in the House, he became a very good friend right till the very end,” President Akufo-Addo noted.
In reaction to the President’s gesture, Mr Koku Anyidoho has questioned why the NDC is not allegedly mourning its member.
In a Twitter post on October 3, he asked “So, the NDC, is not mourning the passing of ET Mensah? How wicked can we be?”
The Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Apul Avoka, has emphasized that finding a replacement for ET Mensah would be challenging due to his dedication and effectiveness in public service.
Mr. Mensah, a former Ningo-Prampram MP, had been battling ill-health for some time and passed away in South Africa on October 1.
Paying tribute to his former colleague, Mr Avoka praised ET Mensah as a politician of high integrity and noted that his boldness and confidence made a significant impact on Ghana’s political landscape.
He expressed his condolences to Mr. Mensah’s family and all those who admired him.
Mr Avoka also shared memories of their time together in Parliament, highlighting their close working relationship during various government roles.
He described ET Mensah as results-oriented and someone who served the country without any stain on his record.
Additionally, he mentioned that Mr. Mensah was closely associated with former President Rawlings and excelled in challenging assignments.
“He [ET Mensah] joined us in the second Parliament and the time I got to know him more was in 2009 when he was Chief Whip, and I was Interior Minister. During that time, I called him every morning to find out what was happening in Parliament and when I needed to be in Parliament. I later went to the House as Majority Leader and ET became Minister for Labour Relations, and we became very close when we were brought together to help Mahama on special initiatives as members of the presidential special drive that eventually became the Three Wise Men.”
“He is bold, confident, and results-oriented, and he was very close to Rawlings and one could only be too close to Rawlings when he was good and if there was any difficult job, and you gave it to ET, he would do it well.”
“He spent much of his adult life serving the country and he did so without blemish. He was also abrasive if you were standing in the way of success and so it will be very difficult to find his replacement.”
It is reported that he passed away in South Africa last night after a prolonged battle with illness.
Born on May 17, 1946, Enoch Teye Mensah served as Ghana’s Minister for Education and was a Member of Parliament from January 1997 until January 2017. He was commonly known as ET Mensah and had a family with seven children.
Notably, during the era of the PNDC military regime in Ghana, he held the position of Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), which was akin to being the Mayor of Accra.
ET Mensah joined the National Democratic Congress (NDC) when it was established in 1992. He also contested and won the parliamentary election in 1996, representing the Ningo-Prampram constituency and maintaining the seat for nearly a decade.
Following the NDC’s loss in the 2000 elections, he continued to serve as a Member of Parliament. Mensah eventually lost the NDC primaries to Sam George on December 21, 2015.
Throughout his political career, he held various positions, including Minority Chief Whip in Parliament before the Ghanaian parliamentary election in 2008, after which he became Majority Chief Whip in Parliament in January 2009.
In the early years of the Fourth Republic, he was appointed Minister for Youth and Sports by President Jerry Rawlings and retained the role throughout Rawlings’ tenure.
Subsequently, in January 2010, President John Atta Mills appointed him as the Minister for Employment and Social Welfare following a cabinet reshuffle.
ET Mensah was also a member of the Pan-African Parliament until his resignation in January 2009, after he was appointed as a member of the Council of State.
In January 2011, he was appointed as the Minister for Education, taking over the role after the resignation of Betty Mould-Iddrisu.
Furthermore, on February 12, 2021, Mensah was unanimously elected as the representative of theCouncil of State for the Greater Accra Region.
