By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah says the Late Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah known in the Ghanaian political circles as E. T. Mensah sought permission from him as the then Chief Scribe of the opposition party to contest position on the Council of State.
Mr. ET Mensah was unanimously elected as the Greater Accra Regional representative on the Council of State on February 12, 2021.
Though some party faithfuls of the opposition NDC did not take kindly with ET Mensah’s decision to serve as a member of the Council of State under a New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
But speaking in an interview with the media during the final funeral rites of the former NDC stalwart, the National Chairman of the largest opposition party revealed that the decision to contest the sole slot of the Greater Accra region’s position on Council of State by ET Mensah was discussed and approved by the party.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah reiterated that the late former Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament (MP) sought the party’s support before entering the Council of State race.
He said that he gave his approval, arguing that there was nothing wrong with ET Mensah’s decision.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah who is also on the Parliamentary Service Board went on to explain the party’s perspective, emphasizing that they believe it is not a betrayal to work in a state institution of governance when the party is in opposition.
“On this controversial issue about his contest to become a Council of State member, ET Mensah sought permission from me as the then General Secretary. And I said there was nothing wrong with that. Some are of the view that when a government is in power, then it is a sin to work in any state institution of governance and that it is a betrayal. I said the NPP does the opposite. When we are in power, some NPP folks contest for positions on the Council of State so they can be there to participate in certain decisions. So I told him that he had my support,” the NDC National Chairman explained.
He further revealed that ET Mensah was dissatisfied that no NPP member contested against him, “But I told him that it shows that he was a powerhouse in the region.”
“I cannot blame ET for contesting to be on the Council of State. I cannot say he abandoned the party. I disagree with persons who make such assertions.
He requested my approval. And as far as I am concerned, the NDC as a party was not against his decision,,” He added.
