Joseph Henry Mensah
Encyclopedia
Joseph Henry Mensah is a former Ghana
ian politician and economist.
) between 1948-1954. He then headed to University of London
then Stanford University
, where he earned his both a bachelor's and master's degree with a specialization in economic theory and development. In 1954, Mensah became a Research Fellow in Economics at the University of Ghana, which lasted until 1958.
was still under colonial rule. In 1958, Mensah joined the United Nations
Secretariat at the Centre for Development Planning, Projections and Policies, in New York
, United States
. Mensah returned to Ghana in 1961 as the Head of Agency at the National Planning commission. The National Planning commission drew and implemented the country's Seven-Year Development Plan (1962-1969). In 1969, he was elected to parliament and became the Finance minister
until 1972, when he was replaced by future head of state Ignatius Kutu Acheampong after the military coup.
from 1975 to 1978. Although banned from political activity in 1979, he was active for the Popular Front Party
in the 1979 elections
. He also served as Chairman of the Sunyani District
Council in Brong-Ahafo Region
(1979-1981), and proprietor of Banka Farms. Exiled in England, in 1983 he headed a group opposing the PNDC. He also served on the African Advisory Council of the African Development Bank
from 1993-1997. In December 1996, Mensah contested a parliamentary seat in Sunyani East District as a member of the New Patriotic Party
, which he won. He was re-elected in 2000. Prior to John Kufuor
's election in 2001, Mensah was the minority leader in Parliament
.
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
ian politician and economist.
Education
Mensah attended the University of the Gold Coast (now University of GhanaUniversity of Ghana
The University of Ghana is the oldest and largest of the thirteen Ghanaian universities and tertiary institutions. It is one of the best universities in Africa and by far the most prestigious in West Africa...
) between 1948-1954. He then headed to University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
then Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, where he earned his both a bachelor's and master's degree with a specialization in economic theory and development. In 1954, Mensah became a Research Fellow in Economics at the University of Ghana, which lasted until 1958.
Political career
Mensah began working as an assistant inspector of taxes in 1953 while the Gold CoastGold Coast (British colony)
The Gold Coast was a British colony on the Gulf of Guinea in west Africa that became the independent nation of Ghana in 1957.-Overview:The first Europeans to arrive at the coast were the Portuguese in 1471. They encountered a variety of African kingdoms, some of which controlled substantial...
was still under colonial rule. In 1958, Mensah joined the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Secretariat at the Centre for Development Planning, Projections and Policies, in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Mensah returned to Ghana in 1961 as the Head of Agency at the National Planning commission. The National Planning commission drew and implemented the country's Seven-Year Development Plan (1962-1969). In 1969, he was elected to parliament and became the Finance minister
Finance minister
The finance minister is a cabinet position in a government.A minister of finance has many different jobs in a government. He or she helps form the government budget, stimulate the economy, and control finances...
until 1972, when he was replaced by future head of state Ignatius Kutu Acheampong after the military coup.
Post coup
Beginning in 1974, Mensah worked in the private sector both in Ghana and abroad. He was imprisoned by the National Redemption CouncilNational Redemption Council
The National Redemption Council was the ruling Ghana military government in from January 13, 1972 to October 9, 1975. Its chairman was Colonel I.K. Acheampong. He was also the Head of state of Ghana due to his chairmanship.-Duration of rule:...
from 1975 to 1978. Although banned from political activity in 1979, he was active for the Popular Front Party
Popular Front Party
The Popular Front Party was the main opposition political party in Ghana during the Third Republic .In elections held on 18 June 1979, PFP presidential candidate Victor Owusu won 29.9% of the vote and the party won 42 of 140 seats in the National Assembly...
in the 1979 elections
Ghanaian parliamentary election, 1979
The Ghanaian parliamentary election was held on 18 June 1979. This were the first parliamentary elections since the 1969 election, 10 years earlier.-Results:Approximately 5,000,000 people were registered for the elections.-See also:...
. He also served as Chairman of the Sunyani District
Sunyani District
The Sunyani District is a district of Ghana in the Brong Ahafo Region.-Sources:*...
Council in Brong-Ahafo Region
Brong-Ahafo Region
The Brong-Ahafo Region is located in mid-western Ghana, between the Ashanti Region and the Northern Region. Its capital is Sunyani.This region was created in 1958. It contains many cultural and wildlife attractions, but it is less known to tourists than the Ashanti, Northern, Central, or Greater...
(1979-1981), and proprietor of Banka Farms. Exiled in England, in 1983 he headed a group opposing the PNDC. He also served on the African Advisory Council of the African Development Bank
African Development Bank
The African Development Bank Group is a development bank established in 1964 with the intention of promoting economic and social development in Africa...
from 1993-1997. In December 1996, Mensah contested a parliamentary seat in Sunyani East District as a member of the New Patriotic Party
New Patriotic Party
-External links:*...
, which he won. He was re-elected in 2000. Prior to John Kufuor
John Kufuor
John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor was the second president of the 4th Republic of Ghana and Chairperson of the African Union...
's election in 2001, Mensah was the minority leader in Parliament
Parliament of Ghana
The Parliament of Ghana is the legislative body of the Ghanaian government.-History:Legislative representation in Ghana dates back to 1850, when the country was a British colony. The body, called the Legislative Council, was purely advisory as the Governor exercised all legislative and executive...
.