Akufo-Addo, Bawumia et al need grooming - Sylvester Mensah

Former NHIS Chief Executive and NDC Presidential hopeful, Sylvester Mensah has added his voice to the debate about age and how that should or shouldn’t contribute to one’s leadership opportunities particularly in politics. He believes that age, regardless of the personality involved should not matter as long as the individual is groomed. The president of the land and his Vice, he insists, are also not beyond grooming despite the age difference of the President.

His statement was in reference to the debate on whether age is a salient factor in running a country as President.

Sylvester Mensah averred that age was just a number as far as occupying the Presidential seat is concerned, adding that the most important factor is getting groomed.

“A youth who is ready, is ready and what it means is that one would’ve gone through self-grooming through learning and learning the experience of others or having a mentorship…” he indicated.

“…grooming doesn’t necessarily place a barrier on age”, he continued.

Asked whether President Nana Akufo-Addo also needed grooming, Silvester Mensah was cautious and posited that the 74-year-old had “gotten to an age where you can’t change the spots on his skin”.

Taking his turn on Ghanaweb’s 21 Minutes with KKB, the NDC Presidential candidate however stressed that everybody needed grooming when Host Kwabena Kyenkyenhene Boateng prodded him about the grooming methods being used by the NPP on Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“….let me say it for the last time, everybody needs grooming. To the extent that there is a virgin area you are entering you need some grooming. And to that extent everybody needs grooming. To the extent that we are learning everyday in our lives, we need grooming.” He stated. Mr. Sylvester Mensah’s response was based on an earlier submission by a fellow Presidential candidate hopeful, Prof. Joshua Alabi.

The former rector of the University of Professional studies (UPSA) now Opoku Ampomah University of Professional studies had indicated in an earlier interview with Francis Abban on Morning Starr stated that the country has not gotten to the level where it can be left in the hands of younger ones.

“We still have not gotten to the level where we can leave the country in the hands of the younger ones. They have to be groomed. I don’t think I am too old to serve the country. In this country, we believe that 60 years is enough to serve a country but it is different in other parts of the world”.

There have been calls for the review or removal of constitutional age limits for Ghanaians who wish to contest the high office of the Presidency with former President Mahama being among individuals in favour.