Speaking to Joy News, the Takoradi MP highlighted Nana Konadu’s instrumental role in mobilising women through the 31st December Women’s Movement and her contribution to legislative reforms that advanced gender equality.

“But I believe that Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings had really been a force in the politics of Ghana,” he said.

“From the 31st December Women’s Movement and the way she conscientized Ghanaian women to do so much for themselves, she made her mark.”

Mr. Darko-Mensah also noted that the former First Lady was a key advocate behind the Intestate Succession Law, which provided legal protection for widows and children after the death of a spouse — a landmark reform that continues to safeguard Ghanaian families.

“You also know the Intestate Succession Law, which she championed and has become a model law that has supported a lot of women, especially in marriages and family life,” he said. “So I believe that she made her own contribution to the development of this country. That can never be taken from her.”

He expressed confidence that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) — the party Nana Konadu helped to build alongside her late husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings — and her later political movement, the National Democratic Party (NDP), would come together to give her a befitting burial.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, is remembered as a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, education, and social justice.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah

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The Minister, who doubles as Takoradi MP, has said he is not from a cheap background to engage in such illegality.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, he indicated he has been one of the leading crusaders against galamsey and has embarked on several operations to clamp down on the menace.

His comment was in relation to allegations by a Chief of Dompim-Pepesah in the Tarkwa Municipality, Nana Nyowah Panyin IV, that Mr Darko-Mensah together with the MCE, Benjamin Kesse and Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, George Mireku Dukerwere behind ‘galamsey’ activities in the area.

The chief spoke in an interview on the Joy FM Super Morning Show in October.

Reacting to the claims, the Minister stated he will not cheapen himself in such a manner.

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“Sometimes when you say it people don’t understand but I don’t come from a cheap house to misbehave in this cheap manner. This is not fair and if they think they can do this to stop us from ensuring that the Western Region is clean of galamsey, I want to tell them I am not faint-hearted,” he stated.

He sees the responsibility entrusted to him as the head of the Regional Coordinating Council to lead the fight against ‘galamsey’ as an opportunity he is not ready to waste.

He added that what his detractors are doing will not stop him from going all out to ensure the fight is won.

According to Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the viral report was an attempt by some unscrupulous persons to ruin his hard-earned reputation.

In October 2022, a post, which went viral on social media, read, A Regional Minister collapses as his driver bolts with GH¢17 galamsey proceeds. Driver is reported to be in Ivory Coast at the moment.

Though no name was mentioned, Mr Darko-Mensah released a statement in which he disclosed he was healthy and alive following the reports.

Setting the records straight on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the Minister, who doubles as Takoradi MP, described the report as a scam, stating he had issues with parts of it, hence his decision to react.

“I never collapsed and have never collapsed in my entire life. The report was just a scam and propaganda. To me it is just a deliberate attempt by some people who are not happy with my fight against galamsey to destroy me and also pull me back,” he said.

The MP, however, noted this will not cause him to relent on his zeal to fight the menace to the latter.

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“We are fighting galamsey seriously because I do not believe in galamsey. I believe that mining is a core occupation of Ghanaians and must be done well and clean and I have won an award in France,” he touted.

They claim Mr Mensah has used his office to unduly favour a private transport company over them.

In a statement, they indicated the Transport Officer of the STMA, Patrick Sebe, and some others have declared openly that the national bus carrier, Metro Mass does not exist in the region.

Against this backdrop, the Metro Mass Terminal in Takoradi has been released to a Private Transport, Bimbisala Cooperative Transport Limited.

“According to Patrick Sebe, a permit has been signed by the Regional Minister who is also acting as the Metropolitan Chief Executive for the release of the terminal to the private operator after the MMT Board Chairman and the Transport Minister have all spoken against the act.

“The group in a statement said this action is making them believe that the said permit is for himself and not for a private operator as said,” part of the statement read.

The transport operators say they have told the minister that they cannot and would not be able to work with the Bimbisalah Cooperative harmoniously at the Takoradi terminal.

According to him, the Akufo-Addo-led administration has brought about a lot of developmental projects across the country since they came into power.

Emphasizing the benefits gained, he indicated that the Western Region is one of the regions that has benefitted from the many developmental projects put in place by the incumbent government.

Mr Darko, also cited the Free SHS initiative as one that has helped increase the number of students accessing education in his region.

Adding to his reasons, he noted that the NPP will be able to break the eight with the aid of the executives to be elected at the ongoing Delegates’ Conference.

He said these in an interview at the ongoing National Delegates’ Congress at the Accra Sports Stadium.

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According to him, preliminary medical investigation and examination indicate the woman, Josephine Simon, was not pregnant as reported.

This he said was revealed by doctors at the Axim hospital where she is currently undergoing treatment.

“I have received the information that the BNI’s preliminary investigation suggests the whole kidnap story was fake and a medical doctor has also confirmed that she has not given birth and was never pregnant,” he told Accra-based Kessben FM.

Mrs Simons reportedly went missing during a routine morning walk from the Amanoo road to the Paa Grant Roundabout on Thursday, September 16, 2021.

A search party was convened after her mother received a call from an unknown person who said they could not use her for what they intended.

After she was found on Tuesday, September 20, 2021, her husband said she told the family she gave birth the same day she was kidnapped.

Mr Darko-Mensah said he was still in shock and yet to come to terms with the development as they were all worried and eager to find the woman.

Following the development, he said he has directed the police to investigate the couple, adding the woman is currently under police guard at the hospital.

The lady’s husband insists his wife was in his eighth term of pregnancy and has medical records to prove that.

Listen to the attached audio for more:

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