The Honourable, Evangelist Dr Enoch Teye Mensah (aka E.T. Mensah) was born on the 17th of May 1946 in Koforidua, in Ghana’s Eastern Region, where his parents had gone for employment, into the Royal Clan of Kley Abordo, Prampram.

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

EARLY YEARS OF LIFE & EDUCATION

Hon. E.T. Mensah had his primary education at Koforidua Methodist Primary School and then completed his education at Akorabo Methodist Primary and Middle School in the Eastern Region, near Suhum, where his parents had transferred and lived.

His parents relocated to Ashaiman, near Tema, in 1958, where he resumed his Middle School education at the Akodzo Middle School in Tema Community One, where he graduated with honours in the Middle School Leaving Certificate Exams in 1962.

He moved from Tema to Mamprobi-Dansoman, Accra, to live with his elder brother, the late S.N. Mensah, 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.

He excelled in his course of study at SNAPS College of Accountancy and was named the top student when he sat for the Royal Society of Arts Examination, which led to his employment as an instructor at the College.

He eventually built the Institute of Business Education (IBE) in Mamprobi as a school for Business and Management Studies, of which he was the Head. He earned a Master of Arts (MA) in Theological Studies and a Doctor of Ministry (PhD) from Vision International University in Ramona, California, where he graduated as a Valedictorian.

He was a Fellow of the Institute of Financial Accountants (IAA), a member of the National Association of Public Accountants (USA), and a member of the Australian Institute of Public Accountants (FIBA).

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

He was a vital member of the Akodzo Middle School football squad, and his skill earned him a spot on the now-defunct Tema Hurricanes Football Club. He played with prominent players like goalie Peter Shallowa, Ofori Mambo, and the late King Pele.

He shared the stage with Rev. Osei Kofi and Kpakpo Allotey (Chubby Checker). Tema Hurricanes were a menace to clubs like Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak during their time in the Ghana Football League.

Between 1967 to 1976, he was a member of Auroras and Hearts of Oak, where he performed alongside Sam Amarteifio, Addo Odametey, Tommy Vanderpuije, Mohammed Polo, and Anas Seidu, among others.

Throughout late Tommy Thompson’s tenure as Chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak, E.T. served on the Welfare Committee throughout their successes in Africa Club Competitions. ET’s football ability got the attention of the management of Lever Brothers (Gh) Ltd. (now Unilever Gh. Ltd.) who hired him to play for the Company’s squad in the Tema Inter-Departmental Football League in the early 1960s. He accompanied the squad to games in Nigeria and other surrounding nations.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Hon. Dr. Evangelist E. T. Mensah served in a variety of professions as a public servant and a top politician, which endeared him to many people both inside and beyond Ghana. He began his career as a college tutor, then as a headmaster, auditor, senior accounts clerk, and accountant. He was a member of the World Conference of Mayors, the American Biographical Institute, and the Ghana Institute of Management.

POLITICAL LIFE AND ACTIVISM

Legon continued his activism while working at the University of Ghana, where he joined a Left-wing political study group that included 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 eventually evolved into the now-defunct New Democratic Movement, which established study cells around the country to educate working people on the ideas and ideals of the class fight for emancipation. E.T. and two other colleagues, Professor Botchway and the late Abraham Dodoo, a senior government official, signed the New Democratic Movement (NDM)’s initial policy paper. This organisation worked tirelessly to improve the political consciousness of the country’s workers.

It was no surprise that many of the members joined the revolutionary waggon of December 31st, which he was essential in the 1981 coup d’état headed by the late President Rawlings. Hon. Evangelist Dr. E. T. Mensah served as PNDC Metropolitan Secretary for Accra (Mayor of Accra) – Ghana’s capital city – for ten (10) years (1982 – 1992).

During his stint as Mayor, Accra experienced various development initiatives that were unique in Ghana’s history. He was the creator of Accra’s current appearance. Hon. ET Mensah became the Deputy PNDC Secretary for Youth and Sports in 1992 when the country transitioned to democratic rule.

From April 1993 until January 2001, he held the position of substantive minister of Youth and Sports as a result of his hard work, devotion, and bravery. He was the Sports Minister who revitalised sports in Ghana. He established Professional Football and the Premier League. Clubs were required to register as corporations.

He instituted Sports Policy, as well as Player Transfer and Sponsorship Programmes. In 1999, the National Youth Policy was also implemented. For many years, he was a founding member, national youth organiser, and vice chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He was a Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram Constituency for an extraordinary five (5) consecutive terms, Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing (He also served as Minister for Education and Agriculture).

At the President’s Office, he was a member of the Government Taskforce that oversaw the execution of the President’s Priority Projects.

E.T. MENSAH AND PRAMPRAM

He worked hard to elevate the prestige of Prampram, which was a trading route to the coast before to independence, as a native and prince of the KLEY ABORDO CLAN. In 1987, as Mayor of Accra (AMA), he fought tirelessly to persuade the Central Government to bring power to the Prampram and Ningo areas.

He also ensured that the road from Dawhuenya (Prampram junction) to the main town, which was in disrepair, was paved, and that the bridge over the Djange Lagoon was built, cutting the travel time to Old Ningo from twenty (20) miles to ten (10) miles.

The late ET was a driving force behind the formation 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 in 2021 to represent the Greater Accra Region, where he remained an active seated member till his tragic demise.

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 from 7th January 1997 to 7th January 2017.
7. Majority Chief Whip from 7th January 2009 to 2nd February 2010.
8. First Deputy Minority Whip from 2005 to 2008.

FAMILY LIFE, PERSONAL HOBBIES & INTERESTS

Hon ET Mensah was a voracious reader. He was a big fan of history, politics, and current events. He knew a lot about philosophy, religion, and English literature. He enjoyed singing hymns and reading the Holy Bible.

His compilation of “Lest We Forget,” a pamphlet detailing the achievements of the PNDC; which was pivotal in NDC’s subsequent organisational programmes and victories – and the publication of the book; “PNDC/ NDC: Setting the Records Straight Vol. 1,” foreword by H.E. Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings before his death, were two of his landmark achievements.

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

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 greatgrandchild and family relations to mourn him.

Our family’s huge oak tree has died. For those of us who have been left to grieve him, we are reminded of his favourite prayer, the Serenity Prayer, which he frequently 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 unavoidable conclusion that all mortals must accept. We take solace in the fact that you have lived a rich and influential life; all that remains for you is a well-deserved rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mother Earth, may you rest sweetly on your mortal remains until we meet again at the dawn of the resurrection.

E T MENSAH KPO MO

E T MENSAH KPO

MO YA WOU DII

AMEN