By: Rachel Kakraba
A Pre -Burial Service has been held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra for one of Ghana’s longest serving Parliamentarians and Statesman, Enoch Teye Mensah, otherwise known as ET Mensah.
The Service is expected to attract notable personalities such as President Akufo-Addo, government functionaries, NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama as well as leading members of the NDC.
The man ET Mensah, a stalwart of the NDC, is credited as a solid rock on which the party was anchored.
In this write up GBC News pays tribute to the late Council of State member and former Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, who served in various capacities and contributed significantly to the development of Ghana.
About ET Mensah
Enoch Teye Mensah, otherwise known as ET Mensah was born on 17th May 1946 in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
He schooled at the SNAPS College of Accountancy. He had a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the Vision International University, Romana, California.
He was a Fellow of good standing of the Institute of Financial Accountants, Institute of Administrative Accountants, Member of the National Association of Public Accountants (USA), and Member of the Institute of Public Accountant, Australia.
During the PNDC era, he served as the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The once vibrant member of the Eagle’s party opened up on what attracted him to the National Democratic Congress.
As a staunch member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he entered Parliament and served on the ticket of the party as MP for Ningo-Prampram for five consecutive four-year terms which spanned 20 years.
He served as Minister of Youth and Sports in former President J.J. Rawlings’ government for two terms. As Minister of Youth and Sports, he introduced professional football and the Premier League. Within his period, clubs were directed to register as corporate entities. He also introduced Sports Policy, player transfer and sponsorship programmes.
In January 2010, after a cabinet reshuffle, late President John Evans Atta Mills appointed him Minister for Employment and Social Welfare.
He served as a Member of the Government Task Force to oversee the implementation of the President’s Priority Projects at the Office of the President. On 21 November 2015, ET Mensah lost the NDC parliamentary primaries to Sam George, bringing an end to his 20 years stay in parliament.
The late ET Mensah was a dedicated Christian who was inducted as a Lay evangelist of the Methodist church Ghana in 2012, by the then Presiding Bishop, Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante. At the time he served as Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing.
His death which was reported on October 1, 2023 saw tribute pour in from people across the political divide. President Akufo-Addo eulogized him as a good source of advice for him. He said he had lost a good friend whose death brings many emotions.
The NPP in a statement signed by the Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, also eulogized him.
Former president John Dramani Mahama and the NDC paid glowing tribute to the late ET. Mensah, whom they described as shaping the solid rock on which the NDC is anchored.
ET Mensah was married with seven children.
With a final bow, ET Mensah steps off the world’s stage, leaving behind a symphony of music and memories. Like Shakespeare’s players, he enriched our lives with every part he played. May his soul continue to rest with God.
