President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has paid his last respect to former Minister of State, the late Joseph Henry Mensah at the latter’s state burial in Accra Friday, August 17, 2018.
The President, clad in black suit, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo as he filed past the mortal remains of the stalwart politician at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife, Mrs. Samira Bawumia also honoured the late stalwart with their presence.
Former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, as well as former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama all graced the event.
The remains of the late statesman were laid to rest at the new military cemetery, after the burial service.
J. H. Mensah, aged 89, passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra from complications associated with a stroke he suffered in 2017.
He was born on October 30, 1928, J.H. Mensah served as Finance Minister under Kofi Busia’s Progress Party (PP) administration from 1969 to 1972. He was also the Senior Minister under President John Kufuor in 2001.
J.H. Mensah has a library of political accolades ranging from being an assistant inspector of taxes, joining the United Nations Secretariat at the Centre for Development Planning, Projections and Policies, heading the National Planning Commission in 1961 upon his return and serving as Finance Minister till 1972.
J.H. Mensah was imprisoned under the National Redemption Council (NRC) in 1975, and forced into exile in the early 1980s. In 1992, he served on the African Advisory Council of the African Development Bank from 1993 to 1997. In December 1996, J.H. Mensah successfully contested for a parliamentary seat in Sunyani East District on the ticket of the NPP and served as the Minority Leader in Parliament.
He was re-elected in 2000 when the NPP assumed the mantle of governance after over three decades in opposition. He was an alumnus of St Peter’s Cathedral school, Kumasi, Achimota School and the University of Cape Coast.
