Let's challenge the status quo for a positive change - Herbert Mensah

Ghanaian business mogul, Mr. Herbert Mensah has entreated Ghanaians to be honest and demand accountability from leaders who manage the country.

Mr. Mensah, who was speaking on key issues confronting the nation on Metro TV's Good Evening Ghana with Paul Adom Otchere, admitted that the country is facing a myriad of challenges and citizens must be able to criticize constructively to push leaders to solve problems.

"Challenge the system, question what is going on. One of the nicest gentlemen I know as a person is President Mahama. His skin may not be as thick as mine but you must tell him if he is messing up in certain areas".

Mr. Mensah believes effective systems must be instituted in order to attract the right investors to expand Ghana's economy. The entrepreneur who was one time the biggest mobile handset distributor in sub-Saharan Africa says there must be integrity and transparency to create the right environment for businesses.

Herbert believes various sectors must be managed by competent professionals and has emphasized the need for government to deal with corruption at all levels.

"We can go to people who possess considerable sums of money and say, how do we bring in funds to ease where we are but it can only go hand in hand when we are dealing with corruption, dealing with right appointees and changing the system so the businessman who is suffering knows that [he will not go through a frustrating process]. When businesses are leaving Ghana for Ivory Coast and other countries then there is something wrong"

"We need to bring the honesty back, have faith and integrity and unless we can face that we are not going to progress [as a nation]," he cautioned.

Herbert wants an educational reform in tertiary institutions that exist in the country. To him, the quality and standards must be improved to churn out enough intellectuals who are problem solvers to develop the country.

Football in Ghana

In 1999, Herbert was appointed as Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and chalked a lot of success during his tenure in the areas of improved coaching, development of professional training facilities, sponsorship, development of revenue sources and a massive fan base for the club.

Currently, the fortunes of the club have dwindled and nearly suffered relegation in the just ended Ghana Premier League.

Answering a question on how to restore the club to its past glory, the Sports and Marketing Management Consultant stated that, "rebranding and appealing to the most important people is the key. The people who matter most are the people who go to the stadiums every week. Can you imagine for example Real Madrid without it's supporters ? You need to go back and give respect to the ordinary people."

Politics in Korle Klottey

As the National Democratic Congress (NDC) gears up for its primaries, there is a strong battle for Dr. Zanetor Rawlings who plans to unseat Hon. Nii Armah Ashitey, the incumbent.

Expressing his views, Mr. Mensah stated that it would be the decision of the delegates. He however believes a good strategy can secure a win for Dr. Rawlings.

"She is fighting an incumbent who is indigenous to the area and has served a couple of years. There are massive difficulties; I believe she has the support of her family. I don't know her plans but a good strategy can help her to win"

Mr. Herbert Mensah however opines that it will not be an easy ride going into the 2016 elections as Nii Noi Nortey, the parliamentary aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will pose a threat due to the massive support from the indigenes of Osu.

He told the host that, "Nii Noi may have an advantage because he is an Osu boy. He is on the ground and I believe a lot of his funding is coming from the people. If the dispute between him and Lawyer Philip Addison has been resolved then he will be a difficult candidate for either Nii Armah Ashitey or Zanetor".