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In a sad turn of events, Enoch Teye Mensah, the former Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram constituency and esteemed Council of State member, has passed away at the age of 77. According to reliable sources, Mensah breathed his last in South Africa last night after a prolonged battle with illness.
ET Mensah, as he was fondly known, had an illustrious political career that spanned several decades. Born on May 17, 1946, he served as a Minister for Education and represented the people of Ghana in Parliament from January 1997 to January 2017. Throughout his tenure, he made significant contributions to the development of education and youth empowerment in the country.
Before his political career took flight, Mensah served as the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) during the PNDC military regime. His remarkable leadership skills earned him the reputation of being the de facto Mayor of Accra. In 1992, he joined the National Democratic Congress (NDC) when it was established and played an active role in its growth and development.
Mensah’s dedication to public service was unwavering, and he contested in the parliamentary election in 1996, successfully securing the seat for the Ningo-Prampram constituency. He held this position for nearly a decade until he lost the NDC primaries to Sam George on November 21, 2015.
Throughout his career, Mensah demonstrated his commitment to parliamentary affairs. He served as the Minority Chief Whip before the Ghanaian parliamentary election in 2008 and subsequently became the Majority Chief Whip in January 2009.
Notable for his versatility, Mensah held several ministerial positions during his tenure. He was appointed as the Minister for Youth and Sports by President Jerry Rawlings at the beginning of the Fourth Republic. He retained this position throughout both terms of the Rawlings government. In January 2010, President John Atta Mills reshuffled his cabinet and appointed Mensah as the Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, a role in which he made significant strides in improving the welfare of Ghanaian citizens.
Mensah’s dedication to pan-Africanism was evident through his membership in the Pan-African Parliament until January 2009 when he resigned after being appointed a member of state. In January 2011, he took on the role of Minister for Education following the resignation of Betty Mould-Iddrisu.
On February 12, 2021, Mensah was unanimously elected as the representative of the Council of State for the Greater Accra Region, a testament to his wisdom and experience in governance.
Beyond his political achievements, Mensah was a devoted family man and leaves behind a loving wife and seven children.
The passing of ET Mensah comes as another blow to the nation, following the recent demise of former First Lady Theresa Kufuor on October 1, 2023. Ghanaians mourn the loss of these distinguished individuals who have made indelible contributions to the country’s progress.
The legacy of ET Mensah will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to public service, his commitment to education and youth empowerment, and his steadfast advocacy for the betterment of Ghanaian society. As the nation mourns his loss, it is a time to reflect on his remarkable contributions and carry forward the torch of his vision for a better Ghana.
