Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has addressed the controversy surrounding the late Enoch Teye (E.T.) Mensah's position on the Council of State.

Speaking exclusively to Citi FM/Citi TV's Umaru Sanda Amadu at the funeral service of the late former Ningo-Prampram MP, Mr. Nketiah clarified that ET Mensah sought the party's approval before entering the Council of State race.

ET Mensah was elected as the Greater Accra Regional representative on the Council of State on February 12, 2021, drawing mixed reactions from within the opposition party.

According to Mr. Asiedu Nketiah, then General Secretary of the NDC, ET Mensah sought his permission before contesting for the position, and he gave his approval, emphasizing that there was nothing wrong with ET Mensah's decision.

“ET Mensah sought permission from me as the then General Secretary. And I said there was nothing wrong with that. Some are of the view that when a government is in power, then it is a sin to work in any state institution of governance and that it is a betrayal.

I said the NPP does the opposite. When we are in power, they [NPP] contest for positions on the Council of State so they can be there to participate in certain decisions. So I told him that he had my support,” explained Mr. Asiedu Nketiah.

He further disclosed that ET Mensah was dissatisfied that no NPP member contested against him. Still, Mr. Nketiah reassured him, saying, “I cannot blame ET for contesting to be on the Council of State.

I cannot say he abandoned the party. He requested my approval. And as far as I am concerned, the NDC as a party was not against his decision.”

Enoch Teye Mensah, who served as Minister for Education and a Member of Parliament from January 1997 till January 2017, held several government portfolios. Until his demise, he was a member of the Council of State.

A state-sponsored funeral service was held in his honor at the forecourt of the State House in Accra on Friday, January 5, 2024.