The late J.H. Mensah
THE RULING New Patriotic Party (NPP) has joined other well-meaning Ghanaians to mourn one of its founding members, Joseph Henry Mensah.
- H. Mensah passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at age 89.
Born in October 1928, the late Mensah served under different governments in various capacities including head of development planning in Nkrumah’s government, Finance Minister in Busia’s government and as Ghana’s first Senior Minister during the era of former President John Kufuor.
He also served in the 4th Republic as Leader of NPP Parliamentary Group, both as Minority and Majority Leader at various times.
His work experience both locally and internationally dates back to 1953 when he was appointed as an Assistant Inspector of Taxes by the colonial administration.
Therefore, as part of activities to mourn him, the NPP has directed that all its flags should fly at half mast.
A statement issued by the NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, said: “The NPP has learnt with shock the demise of the venerable Joseph Henry Mensah, a founding father of the party, which sad event occurred in the morning of Thursday, July 12, 2018, at the 37 Military Hospital where had been on admission receiving medical attention.”
It said “the revered statesman and consummate politician who was described by many as the doyen of development planning in the country, had certainly paid his dues to project Ghana particularly in the advancement of parliamentary democracy and national development planning.”
The statement described his passing as an immeasurable loss to the party and to the rest of the country.
It added: “We, in the NPP in particular, have indeed lost a father, a mentor and a colossus.”
“The party extends its heartfelt condolence to his immediate family and friends and to the rest of the nation for such unbearable loss. We stand with them in these difficult times and would provide them the needed support and assistance,” the statement indicated.
It stressed that “as a mark of respect in honour of his blessed memory, the NPP directs that all party flags at the national headquarters and in the respective regions and constituencies be flown at half mast for the next seven days.”
BY Melvin Tarlue