The chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the late Enoch Teye Mensah encouraged him to run for the party’s General Secretary position.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the former MP for Ningo Prampram provided guidance and support to him and other young politicians within the NDC.

The General Secretary recalled that when he chose to step away from Parliament to pursue higher education, the deceased, popularly known as E.T. Mensah, with a delegation of MPs nominated him as the best candidate to occupy the position.

“Something he did, which I will never forget, is that he was part of the group of MPs who recommended me to become the NDC General Secretary when I was leaving Parliament after 12 years to pursue my PhD.

"ET Mensah, Doe Adjaho, Alban Bagbin, John Dramani Mahama, and a few others came together and suggested that the party needed a firebrand, and I did not have a pesewa at the time,” he said.

He disclosed in an interview with Citi TV during the funeral ceremony of the deceased party stalwart on January 5, 2024.

Mr Nketiah explained that late ET Mensah’s backing was crucial in securing the position, especially in the face of resistance from influential party figures.

Mr. Mensah died at the age of 77 after a period of ill health.

His funeral was held at the State House in Accra, with many paying tribute to his life and legacy.

The former Minister of Education was a respected figure in Ghanaian politics, having held several prominent positions during his career.

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah served as the general secretary of the party for nine years, between 2005 to 2014.

In December 2022, Mr Nketiah contested the Chairmanship position and emerged victorious.