Sylvester Mensah Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/sylvester-mensah/ Ghana News | Ghana Politics | Ghana Soccer | Ghana Showbiz Tue, 27 Mar 2018 19:20:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.8 https://citifmonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-CITI-973-FM-32x32.jpg Sylvester Mensah Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/sylvester-mensah/ 32 32 Anyidoho’s ‘arrest’ over coup comment ‘needless’ – Sylvester Mensah https://citifmonline.com/2018/03/anyidohos-arrest-coup-comment-needless-sylvester-mensah/ Tue, 27 Mar 2018 19:19:32 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=413746 A member of National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sylvester Mensah, has condemned the Criminal Investigations Department’s (CID) invitation of the party’s Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho. Anyidoho was invited by the CID after making comments deemed treasonable. Mr. Anyidoho in an interview on Accra-based Happy FM had indicated that President Akufo-Addo will be overthrown just like […]

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]]> A member of National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sylvester Mensah, has condemned the Criminal Investigations Department’s (CID) invitation of the party’s Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho.

Anyidoho was invited by the CID after making comments deemed treasonable.

Mr. Anyidoho in an interview on Accra-based Happy FM had indicated that President Akufo-Addo will be overthrown just like his father and the late Dr. K. A Busia due to the ratification of the controversial defence cooperation agreement between the US and the government of Ghana.

[contextly_sidebar id=”SUscWZe8uWwfsMLurvJxj1vPx9WGNnqE”]“Somebody should tell Nana Addo that history has a very interesting way of repeating itself. On the 13th of January 1972, a certain Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led an insurrection that removed the progress party from power. Busia was the Prime Minister and Akufo Addo’s father was the ceremonial President. Someone should tell Akufo-Addo that history has an interesting way of repeating itself,” Anyidoho warned.

Mr. Mensah in an interview with Citi News on the sidelines of a press conference by a group of opposition political parties known as Inter-Party Coalition for National Sovereignty, said the reaction to the comments were needless.

“When the Minister of Finance during the opposition indicated that Ghana was ripe for a political coup d’etat, did we arrest him? We need to demonstrate some political tolerance in this country.What is happening is not fair. It is not proper. We are generating too much tension in this country. It does not serve the interest of any political party. It does not serve the interest of the opposition, it does not serve the interest of those in government. Tolerance is key in politics. This thing is being carried too far. It is being overstretched.”

Mr. Mensah believes the CID’s invitation was needless, since it was obvious “Koku Anyidoho is not planning a coup.”

“The General Secretary has dissociated the party from the general perception that Koku Anyidoho had made a statement to the effect that there will be a military coup. The issues are being overstretched.”

NPP condemns Anyidoho’s comments 

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party, NPP, has described Mr. Anyidoho’s comments as reckless and amateurish.

“The NPP as a party unreservedly condemns this reckless, amateurish, and misguided statement from Mr. Anyidoho, especially judging from his background as a former presidential spokesperson for former President John Evans Atta Mills, who was hailed by all as a peace-loving personality,” a statement signed by National Youth Organizer of the NPP, Sammy Awuku added.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> ‘I would be a better President than Mahama’ – Sylvester Mensah https://citifmonline.com/2017/11/i-would-be-a-better-president-than-mahama-sylvester-mensah/ Thu, 23 Nov 2017 06:20:16 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=376633 Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah, has said that he will be better than John Dramani Mahama if he is given the chance to lead the country. While stating that the former President’s administration “did their best” while in office, he insisted that he would be able to take […]

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]]> Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah, has said that he will be better than John Dramani Mahama if he is given the chance to lead the country.

While stating that the former President’s administration “did their best” while in office, he insisted that he would be able to take the country further than Mahama did.

[contextly_sidebar id=”h7Imumi6uPyw2JtH6GZXzflJrUD8IACg”]A number of persons, including the Member of Parliament for Nadowli-Kaleo, Alban Bagbin, Ekow Spio Garbrah, and former Rector of the University of Professional Studies Prof Joshua Alabi have hinted of their desire to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s into the 2020 elections.

Despite not actually confirming it, John Mahama has given strong hints that he may try to recapture the Presidency he lost in 2016.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Sylvester Mensah also admitted that he was considering contesting for the position, adding that “consultations are ongoing” with his advisers on the matter.

When asked whether he believes he will do better than John Mahama if elected, Sylvester Mensah responded: “Of course, I believe strongly about that. I have competence and capacity that can move this country faster than any of the current hopefuls. I have ability and what it takes to move this country faster than any other.”

“The previous [President] could have done a very good job, but at the end of the day, you want to find out whether there is someone who could have done better. And doing better doesn’t necessarily define the other person’s performance as bad.”

‘Nothing was proven’

Questions have been raised about the suitability of Sylvester Mensah to contest for NDC’s internal primaries let alone the Presidency, following the circumstances that surrounded his exit from the NHIA.

However he brushed these concerns aside, stating that he had not been found guilty of any wrongdoing in the matter.

“Just being investigated is not enough. Anybody can be investigated. There appears to be some impression about a few things. I was never arrested, I was never detained and I was never interdicted,” he said.

“I was called upon to respond to some uncertainty and I provided clarity and it all ended. At the end of the day, I had a formal letter to the effect that I had been exonerated and that they had been no adverse findings… I was never sacked from the NHIA, I was reassigned to the Presidency. ”
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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> Stop unwarranted sacking of workers – Sly Mensah to gov’t https://citifmonline.com/2017/08/stop-unwarranted-sacking-of-workers-sly-mensah-to-govt/ Mon, 07 Aug 2017 14:12:33 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=342877 Former National Health Insurance Authority boss, Mr Sylvester Mensah has cautioned the Akufo-Addo government against the ‘unjustifiable sacking of workers in public institutions across the country’. He observed that ‘the indiscriminate dismissal, termination or appointments and proceed on leave orders to workers perceived to be sympathizers of the now opposition NDC does not bode well […]

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]]> Former National Health Insurance Authority boss, Mr Sylvester Mensah has cautioned the Akufo-Addo government against the ‘unjustifiable sacking of workers in public institutions across the country’.

He observed that ‘the indiscriminate dismissal, termination or appointments and proceed on leave orders to workers perceived to be sympathizers of the now opposition NDC does not bode well for the peace and security of the country’.

Mr Mensah these comments in his address last Saturday as a guest speaker at the grand durbar of the 63rd Afenorto festival of the Chiefs and people of Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.

According to NDC stalwart, Ghanaians “expect a government that is even handed, fair, equitable and responsive to our needs” and “a government that recognizes the significant size of the youth in today’s society and develops action programs to harness their energies, potentials and talents into a productive force for self and nation.’

He thanked the Chiefs and people of the area for the warm invitation extended to him to celebrate the festival with them. The former La Dadekotopon legislator also used the occasion to commend the chiefs and people of Mepe for the continuous celebration of the Afenorto festival for sixty-three years and also praised them for the successes and progress that they have collectively chalked as a community.

He also expressed his gratitude to the people of the area for voting massively for the NDC in the December 2016 elections and assured them of the party’s commitment to developing the area more when it comes back to power.

The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Kofi Dzamesi; deputy minister of health, Hon Tina Mensah; North Tongu Member of Parliament, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; and  Korle Klottey MP  Hon. Zanetor Rawlings graced the occasion.

The occasion was chaired by Prof. Joshua Alabi, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

The Afenorto festival, meaning “Period of Rest at Home”, is celebrated annually to renew the sense of oneness of the Chiefs and people of Mepe. This year’s climax of the celebration brought together thousands of people who thronged the durbar ground after a rich display of culture by the five clans and their chiefs in a procession through the principal streets of the town.

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By citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> Sylvester Mensah: A potential NDC 2020 Presidential Aspirant https://citifmonline.com/2017/06/sylvester-mensah-a-potential-ndc-2020-presidential-aspirant/ Sat, 17 Jun 2017 21:50:55 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=329387 Sylvester Mensah: Long Shot or Giant Killer? He’s got youth, he’s got experience, and he’s got charm. He’s Sylvester Mensah and he could be your next president. Mr. Mensah easily reminds you of politicians like John Edwards (the John Edwards before his scandal): boyishly handsome, easily believable and exceptionally warm.   PROS   Temperament Mr. […]

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Sylvester Mensah: Long Shot or Giant Killer?
He’s got youth, he’s got experience, and he’s got charm. He’s Sylvester Mensah and he could be your next president. Mr. Mensah easily reminds you of politicians like John Edwards (the John Edwards before his scandal): boyishly handsome, easily believable and exceptionally warm.
 
PROS
 
Temperament
Mr. Sylvester Mensah is the dictionary definition of cool as cucumber. Steady but zealous; genial but indefatigable; cautious yet ambitious, Mr. Mensah is a man of reason, resolve and respect. For a position which presents some of the most combustible, tempestuous and vacillating circumstances, the presidency demands men of thought, restrain and tact. As an insurance and financial expert, this is not surprising; his risk aversion and guarded nature seems innate. Mr. Mensah has the right kind of temperamental balance for the Office; peaceful, humane and civil, he maintains a disposition that could see him claim the “asomdwoehene” mantra. This would probably mean fewer or zero unnecessary wars, sound economic risks (with the likelihood of lesser financial losses to the State), rational leadership, and guarded judgements. He would offer mature leadership and hopefully his composed or well-mannered disposition would make him a unifier, peace broker and advocate of decent, empathetic and compassionate governance.
 
Politically Experienced
Make no mistake: Sylvester Mensah may not possess megawatt status but he definitely has significant party clout. He’s politically experienced, has a political base and is considerably grounded within the internal party dynamics of the NDC. He’s a former parliamentarian for the La Dadekotopon Constituency, former Greater Accra Regional Youth Organizer, former Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NDC and former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority. It has not always been so but he is certainly now a major player with the coveted status of a “party big wig.” He is extremely well known among the party’s grassroot structures and has the enviable status of a giant killer dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s when he fought and won against the party establishment candidate to become general secretary of the party in the very important swing region of Greater Accra.
This brings to mind a few things about the political character and skill of Mr. Mensah: slow but sure, silent but deadly, calm but lethal. If Mr. Mensah were to consult me I would advise him to frame himself as an outsider with a common man story, who is ready to bulk the system—not necessarily at Donald Trump levels but there’s something in there to latch on to. He professes social democracy as his major political belief but my own introspection and analysis also reveals a belief in centrism, post-partisanship rather than the usual hyper partisanship, and bridge building. These are serious political traits that should be able to help assemble a particular kind of campaign for maximum effect. Let me stop here now before I give off any more campaign freebies.
 
Policy and Professional Expertise
Hon. Sylvester Mensah may be a political colossus but he’s also a consummate professional. Unlike some politicians who have made the political arena their sole and only concern, Sly has taken the time, effort and sacrifice to get a great education. His expertise is in finance, economics, banking and risk analysis. He has an MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester and a certificate in Political Economy from Cottbus Political College in Germany. Under his leadership, the NHIA won a United Nations Award for excellence in leadership for health insurance. He won an award from the IMANI Center for Policy and Education for inspirational public sector leadership. His core contributions at the NHIS include establishing the Consolidated Claims Processing Centre (CPC), granting “permanency” to the NHIA through the construction of national and regional office complexes, thereby reducing expenditure and streamlining the NHIA Act. His claim to fame as regional secretary for the National Democratic Congress in the Greater Accra Region includes the introduction of branch auditing within the party, an initiative which was adopted nationwide. As Member of Parliament, his major areas of focus included education (the La Dadekotopon Education Trust Fund), the reconstruction/rehabilitation of major roads, and the upgrading of the La Polyclinic. In short, Mr. Mensah is a technocrat whose knowledge in governance, finance and management will serve him well.
 
In addition, Hon. Sylvester Mensah has written a book which is not just an interesting memoir but a useful treatise in Ghana’s politics. That is a recognizable feat and an admirable contribution to political studies which he needs to be commended for. Mr. Mensah has slayed giants before (when he beat an establishment candidate for the position of Greater Accra regional secretary of the NDC) and he might do it again.
 
CONS
 
Dark Horse & Long Shot
Mr. Sylvester Mensah, though well qualified, is the dark horse in this race but so was Barack Obama before he become front-runner. Still, as far as this race is concerned, Hon. Sylvester Mensah is one of the long shot candidates. This means, his name recognition is low and may not have the same barnyard popularity as other mainstream candidates. Which also means that Sly has to work extra hard at increasing his name recognition which translates to more resources, campaign spending, sharper messaging and extra efforts to close the long shot gap. That would be no easy task especially with the likes of Spio, Mahama and possibly Haruna in the mix. Hon. Mensah has his work clearly cut out.
 
NHIA Imbroglio
To be CEO of the NHIA means you’re in the cross hairs of Ghanaians daily. Sylvester Mensah and his organization have been vilified in the public domain over time and this does not portend well for his public image. In addition, the tenor of his exit from the NHIA, the BNI saga (storming his house and visiting the BNI on New Year’s Day 2016), the bank account freeze and the suspicion of false claim payments, all under the supervision/instigation of his own government dented the public image of Sly. Hon. Sylvester Mensah was later cleared and the Financial and Economic Crime Division of the Accra High Court ordered the release of his account but harm had already been done. His campaign would have to work hard to rehabilitate his public persona.
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By:Dr. Etse Sikanku

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]]> NPP mismanaged NHIS – Sylvester Mensah https://citifmonline.com/2016/12/npp-mismanaged-nhis-sylvester-mensah/ Tue, 06 Dec 2016 08:39:34 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=274735 A former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has questioned the competence of opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to govern the country. Addressing a stadium full of party supporters at the final rally of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sylvester Mensah, slammed the party for what he says is an inefficient […]

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]]> A former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has questioned the competence of opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to govern the country.

Addressing a stadium full of party supporters at the final rally of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sylvester Mensah, slammed the party for what he says is an inefficient management of the scheme.

Mr. Mensah scorned the party and urged teeming party supporters to vote massively for the governing NDC to keep the NPP in opposition.

He said the NDC inherited the scheme when utilization was just below 9 million, a situation he believes clearly shows the inefficiency of the scheme under the NPP.

“We inherited the scheme when utilization was just below 9 million. Utilisation is simply the number of people who access healthcare using the Health Insurance Scheme. At the time we took over in 2009, utilization was below 9 million…If this is not inefficiency, I do not know what this is about. And these are the people who today are talking about health insurance and think that the good people of this country should hand over the reins of this country to them to continue mismanaging this scheme.”

The NPP has consistently accused the Mahama-led administration of starving the scheme of the necessary funds hence leading to its collapse.

They have thus promised to revive it should they be given the opportunity on December 7, 2016. The law that introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS), was passed during the regime of the Kufuor administration.

At the time, the NDC then in opposition, voted against the Bill, but turned around to promise a one-time premium ahead of the 2012 elections, only to fail to implement it.

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By; Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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