According to him, the late Council of State member was one of the people who encouraged him to contest the NDC General Secretary 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 12 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,” he recounted.

This was in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM as he recounted fond memorial when he joined scores to pay last respect on Friday at the forecourt of the State House.

General Mosquito, as he is popularly known, stated the deceased was more than just a politician but a militant who provided guidance and support to all.

Mr. Mensah died aged 77 after a period of ill health.

General Mosquito who occupied the General Secretary position for 17 years stepped down on Saturday, 17 December 2022, to contest the Chairmanship position.

He defeated the immediate past Chairman, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo.

ALSO READ:

• Forgive me if I’ve offended you – Asiedu Nketia says as he bows out as General Secretary

• Scenes from E.T. Mensah’s final funeral rites

The solemn ceremony came off on Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Forecourt of the State House.

In attendance to pay last respects were President Nana Akufo-Addo, Chief of Staff; Akosua Frema Opare and former Ministers, current and former MPs as well as other appointees.

Former President John Mahama, Professor Jane Opoku-Agyemang, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and other party bigwigs also joined the family to give him a befitting burial.

Security personnel from the various agencies, traditional authorities were also at the State House to honour Mr Mensah.

The late Council of State member passed on October 1, 2023, after battling a short illness.

Aged 77, he was survived by a wife and seven children.

Check out more photos below:

This was at the forecourt of the State House where a funeral and burial rites were held with his body laid in state.

The independent presidential candidate and founder of Movement for Change led a delegation from his political entity to the funeral.

Also present were security chiefs from the various services including the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Police, Immigration and Fire Service.

Clergymen from various denominations were also in attendance as well as the GAF personnel who held a guard of honour for the former Sports and Education Minister and coordinated the entire funeral service.

Mr Mensah who until his demise was a Council of State member passed in October 2023 in South Africa aged 77.

To celebrate his selfless service and contribution to Ghana politics, scores of mourners throng the funeral grounds to bid him farewell.

Scenes captured by Adomonline.com’s photo journalist Joseph Odotei.

ALSO READ:

• NDC did not celebrate E.T. Mensah enough – Cousin

• E.T. Mensah served nation well – Akufo-Addo

She emphasized that as a founding member of the party, who worked alongside Nana Konadu and Chairman Jerry [John Rawlings], the NDC should have taken a leading role in organizing his funeral.

However, she lamented that this had not been the case.

Asafoanye Odzadan III based her disappointment on the party’s handling of the funeral preparations after formally informing them.

In an interview with Accra-based Citi FM during the former Education and Sports Minister’s funeral at the State House forecourt on Friday, she highlighted the disparity between the NDC’s presence during mourning and their absence when the family needed their support.

According to her, the NDC failed to actively participate in mourning with the family and only came to greet them.

She credited President Nana Akufo-Addo’s intervention for ensuring a state burial, asserting that without his involvement, the NDC did not show much interest in the funeral arrangements.

She claimed that despite Mr. Mensah’s longstanding association with the NDC, it was only because of his role as a Council of State member that he is now being celebrated, implying that the party did not adequately honor his legacy.

Enoch Teye Mensah passed away in South Africa at the age of 77 on October 1, 2023, after a prolonged battle with illness.

The funeral service at the State House has drawn mourners from across the country and various political affiliations. Credit goes to Citi FM for the information.

ALSO READ:

• Hot audio: If NDC is too hot for you, get out – ET Mensah…

• Ghana News – Audio: ‘ET Mensah stabbing NDC in the back’

His parents were Mr. Emmanuel Teye Mensah (a.k.a. E.T. Mensah Snr or Niitse Goldsmith), a goldsmith of high repute and Madam Elizabeth Nartehkuor Nartey, a draper, of Blessed memory, both from Afutu Wem and Adjoka Wem of Kley Abordo Clan of Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

EARLY YEARS OF LIFE & EDUCATION

Hon. E.T. Mensah had his elementary education at Koforidua Methodist Primary school and later continued at Akorabo Methodist Primary and Middle school, near Suhum in the Eastern Region; where his parents had relocated and settled.

In 1958 his parents moved to Ashaiman near Tema, where he continued his Middle school education at the Akodzo Middle School in Tema Community One and completed in 1962 with a distinction in the Middle School Leaving Certificate Exams.

He left Tema to live with his elder brother, the late S.N. Mensah in Mamprobi -Dansoman, Accra; who was then working at Accra City Council (now Accra Metropolitan Assembly, AMA) in 1964; where he attended SNAPS College of Accountancy and Secretaryship at Asylum Down, Accra.

While at SNAPS College of Accountancy he excelled in his course of study and was adjudged the best student when he sat for the Royal Society of Arts Examination, and was consequently employed as a tutor in the College. He later established a school for Business and Management Studies at Mamprobi called Institute of Business Education (IBE) where he was the Head.

He held a Master of Arts (MA) certificate in Theological Studies and a Doctor of Ministry (PhD) certificate from the Vision International University, Ramona California; where he was the Valedictorian at the graduation ceremony. He was a Fellow of good standing in the Institute of Financial Accountants (IAA), Member of National Association of Public Accountants (USA) and Member of the Institute of Public Accountant (FIBA), Australia.

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

While at Akodzo Middle School, he played a key role in the school’s football team; where his excellence in the game led him to be recruited to play for the now defunct Tema Hurricanes Football Club.

He played alongside notable teammates as Goalkeeper Peter Shallowa, Ofori Mambo, and King Pele of blessed memory.

He also played alongside Rev. Osei Kofi, and Kpakpo Allotey (Chubby Checker). Tema Hurricanes as the name implied was a terror to teams like Asante Kotoko, Accra Hearts of Oak during their stay in the Ghana Football League.

He was later recruited to play for Auroras and Hearts of Oak, where he played alongside the likes of Sam Amarteifio, Addo Odametey, Tommy Vanderpuije, Mohammed Polo, Anas Seidu among others between 1967 to 1976.

During the early days of late Tommy Thompson as Chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak, E.T. became a member of the Welfare Committee during their exploits in Africa Club Competitions.

ET’s football skills during his school days caught the eyes of the Management of Lever Brothers (Gh) Ltd. (now Unilever Gh. Ltd.) to employ him to play for the Company’s team that participated in the Tema Inter Departmental Football League in the early 1960s. He travelled with the team to play matches in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Hon. Dr. Evangelist E. T. Mensah worked in various capacities as Public Servant and finest politician which have over the years endeared him to the hearts of many people both within and outside Ghana.

He started work as a College Tutor, Headmaster, Auditor, Senior Accounts Clerk and Accountant. He was a Fellow of the American Biographical Institute, Member of World Conference of Mayors and Member of Ghana Institute of Management.

POLITICAL LIFE AND ACTIVISM

Whilst working at the University of Ghana, Legon he 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 into 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, New Democratic Movement (NDM). This group worked assiduously to raise political consciousness of mainly workers across the country.

It was no wonder, many of the members joined the revolutionary wagon of the 31st December which 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 which 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 valor, 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. National Youth Policy was also rolled out in 1999.

He was a Founding Member, National Youth Organizer and Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for many years. He was a Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Constituency for unprecedented five (5) consecutive times, 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

Being a native and a royal of the KLEY ABORDO CLAN of Prampram, he worked hard to help raise the status of Prampram which used to be a trading route to the coast prior to independence.

Whilst as a Mayor of Accra (AMA) he worked hard to persuade the Central government to extend electricity to Prampram and Ningo communities in 1987.

The also ensured the reconstruction of road from Dawhuenya (Prampram junction) to the main town, which was in a deplorable state was tarred, he also ensured that the bridge on the Djange Lagoon was constructed thereby reducing the travel time to Old Ningo from twenty (20) miles to ten (10) miles.

The late ET was instrumental in the creation of the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly.

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 votes to represent the Greater Accra Region in 2021, where he remained an active seating member until his untimely death.

POSITIONS HELD IN GOVERNANCE AND PARTY

E.T. worked in various capacities in government and party.

1. He was the PNDC Metropolitan Secretary from May 1982 to June 1992.

The longest serving Mayor of Accra.

2. Deputy PNDC Secretary for Youth and Sports from 1982 to 1993.

3. Minister for Youth and Sports from April 1993 to January 2001.

4. National Youth Organizer.

5. Vice Chairman of NDC.

6. Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram form 7th January 1997 to 7th January 2017

7. Majority Chief Whip form 7th January 2009 to 2nd February 2010.

8. First Deputy Minority Whip from 2005 to 2008.

FAMILY LIFE, PERSONAL HOBBIES & INTERESTS 

ET Mensah was an avid reader. He loved works of history, politics and current affairs. He was well read in philosophy, theology and English literature. He loved to sing hymns and loved reading the Holy Bible.

One of his landmark achievements, was his compilation of “Lest we Forget”, a pamphlet detailing the achievements of the PNDC; which was pivotal in NDC’s subsequent organizational programmes and victories – and the publishing of the book; “PNDC/ NDC: Setting the Records Straight Vol. 1”, foreword by H.E. Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings before his demise.

He was a Synod Member of the Tema Diocese of the Methodist Church and a Member of Connexional Advisory Council on Youth of the Methodist Church Ghana. He was a commissioned Evangelist and a Conference Member of the Methodist Church Ghana.

Hon. Dr. Evangelist Enoch Teye Mensah is survived by his beautiful wife – Mrs Lorinda Presutti Mensah; seven children – Apostle Benjamin Tettey Mensah, Enoch Tettey Mensah, Dr. Michael Tetteh Mensah, Rev. Mrs. Naomi Naadu Mensah Antwi, Jerry Teye Mensah, Bernice Naadu Feehi Mensah and Solomon Nii Nartey Mensah; twenty-seven grandchildren; one great grandchild and family relations to mourn him.

Indeed, the great oak tree of our family has fallen. For those of us who have been left to mourn him, we are reminded of his favorite prayer; the Serenity Prayer, which he often quoted – “God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.”

Death is an inevitable end, a fact which all mortals must come to terms with. We therefore take consolation in the fact that you have led a fruitful and impactful life, what is left for you is a well-deserved rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May mother earth lie gently on your mortal remains till we meet again at the dawn of the resurrection.

ET MENSAH KPO MO

ET MENSAH KPO MO

YA WOU DII

AMEN

In an orderly procession, individuals lined up to pass by the mortal remains, offering their last tributes to the departed soul.

Drapped predominantly in black and red garments, some attendees found it challenging to contain their sorrow, while others were visibly solemn as they gathered at the funeral venue.

The former representative of Ningo Prampram passed away on October 1 after a prolonged battle with illness.

Born on May 17, 1946, E.T. Mensah served as a Minister for Youth & Sports as well as Education and held the position of a Member of Parliament in Ghana from January 1997 to January 2017.

Survived by a wife and seven children, E.T. Mensah reached the age of 77 at the time of his passing.

Below are photos of the service as compiled by Adomonline.com journalist, Joseph Odotei.

ALSO READ:

• E.T. Mensah served nation well – Akufo-Addo

• Speaker Bagbin leads delegation to commiserate with E.T Mensah’s family

A burial service is currently taking place at the forecourt of the State House.

Ahead of the final funeral rites today, his body was laid in state for viewing at his Prampram residence on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a thanksgiving service in his honour will be held at the Methodist Church in Prampram on Sunday, January 7.

The late Council of State Member aged 77, passed on in South Africa in October 2023, after battling ill health for some time.

He served as a Minister for Youth and Sports, Education and was a Member of Parliament from January 1997 to January 2017.

He was survived by a wife and seven children.

ALSO READ:

• It will be difficult to replace ET Mensah – Cletus Avoka
• I never betrayed E. T. Mensah – Sam George [Video]

“Although we were on different sides of the ladder, we managed to develop a good relationship for so many years. He did not change his position and I did not change mine but we remained friends. It is a relationship I hold with others across the line,” he added.

The President said the late E. T. Mensah would be given a state-assisted burial and, therefore, urged Mr Ade Coker, who led a delegation to the Jubilee House to formally inform him of the former Council of State Member’s demise, to liaise with the Office of the Chief of Staff to ensure that preparations were put in place for a befitting funeral.

Other members of the delegation were Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, a former MP; Eben Mensah, a brother; Nene Afutu III, the Afienya Mantse; Loretta Mensah, widow; Ben Mensah, eldest son; Jerry Mensah,son; Solomon Mensah, youngest son and Martha Mensah, a sister.

About E.T. Mensah

E.T. Mensah, 77, who passed on to glory on October 1, 2023, in South Africa, will be buried on November 26, 2023, at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

He was a former Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and a football administrator.

He also served as a minister of state for different portfolios in former Presidents Rawlings and Mills regimes and later became a Member of Parliament. At the time of his death, he was a Member of the Council of State.

Condolence

President Akufo-Addo expressed his condolence to the family, friends and colleagues of E.T. Mensah and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party of which he was a leading member.

He, however, said the date set for the funeral coincided with the period of his official visit to the UK.

The President said he would have loved to be there because “I know E. T. Mensah would have also wanted me to be there”.

President Akufo-Addo described this year as challenging for the deceased and his family and said throughout the period “I thought it necessary to make sure the state gave him maximum support in his moments of difficulties”.

Appreciation

Mr Ade Coker expressed appreciation to the President on behalf of the family and the widow in particular.

He commended President Akufo-Addo for his personal dedication and commitment to the welfare of the late E.T. Mensah from the day he fell sick till his demise and also for arranging for his remains to be brought back to the country.

ALSO READ:

• Mahama mourns ET Mensah and Dr. Sydney Laryea

• Lawyer mourns former First Lady, ET Mensah

The delegation included parliamentary leadership, MPs, and other staff.

During the visit, Speaker Bagbin recounted fond memories of E.T Mensah, whom he affectionately called his brother.

The Speaker said Parliament and the nation at large have lost a treasure as he touched on E.T. Mensah’s significant contributions to public service and the legislative process.

Mr. Bagbin pledged Parliament’s commitment to ensuring a dignified and fitting burial for the late statesman, underscoring the collective effort to honour his memory appropriately.

E.T. Mensah passed away on October 1, 2023, in South Africa after battling ill health.

He was 77.

The political stalwart until is death was a member of the Council of State.

ALSO READ:

• Mahama mourns ET Mensah and Dr. Sydney Laryea

• It will be difficult to get his replace ET Mensah – Cletus Avoka