PRESS RELEASE:
NPP GERMANY OBSERVES 5 YEARS OF THE DEATH OF A GIANT POLITICAL ICON – HON. JOSEPH HENRY MENSAH (J. H. MENSAH) 31. 10. 1928 – 12. 07. 2018
Today, mark the 5th anniversary of the demise of Mr. J. H Mensah + who passed away into eternity after serving relentlessly his country of birth, Ghana, politically in diverse Ministries.
DEDICATION :
The 5th anniversary is dedicated to commemorate/honour Mr. Joseph Henry Mensah, popularly known and called Mr. J. H. +, the brilliant economist, the celebrated politician, the unwavering Ghanaian patriot, the architect behind the famous seven-year development plan of the first President of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Chairman of the powerful Ghana Democratic Movement, GDM, in Europe and equally West African sub-region, which was headquartered in London for his enormous political contributions. He served under the Colonial Administration from 1953 up to 2005 / 2006 as a Senior Minister of Government Business under HE John Agyekum Kufour’s administration government of the NPP in Ghana.
Today, on the 5th anniversary of the death of Mr. J. H. Mensah +, l write vehemently once again in deep pain and sorrow in my capacity as a Founding Member and one of the few remaining active political serving members of the powerful Ghana Democratic Movement-GDM who is still active and raised the banner in the formation of the NPP in Hamburg, Germany, founded by him. He was internationally recognized worldwide as Chairman & Founder of the GDM with London as its head office and equally the merchant city of Hamburg as the head office in Germany.
Historically, it’s on record that the GDM challenged, protested strongly, and condemned the PNDC bogus military regime through demonstrations, published articles which revealed the junta about the atrocious crimes against humanity, organised seminars, and distributed flyers to expose crimes committed against innocent Ghanaian citizens, stripped women naked in public etc. for unlawfully removing a democratic government of Dr. Hilla Limann on 31st December 1981 in Ghana.
WE, the few leading Executives including myself were exiled for twenty (20) years without visiting Ghana since declared wanted to face treason charges by the PNDC for our direct and open protest against the regime. We are proud today as we remember and mourn the loss of a unique statesman, a charismatic man, a father, an uncle, a traditionalist, and a friend for his many great political achievements. Mr. J. H. Mensah + is one of the greatest celebrated politicians and an international economist Ghana has produced in the modern political history of our Nation. He wholeheartedly sacrificed to his life to serve his country of birth, Ghana, he cared so much until his last breath.
I served under the GDM in the position of Assistant General Secretary & National Financial Secretary simultaneously from 1982 – 1992 in the Hamburg chapter and in Germany until the ban on party politics was lifted in Ghana.
Obviously, l had so many political interactions with Mr. J. H. Mensah +, personally during the political struggle against the PNDC killer regime outside Ghana in the UK, Hamburg, Dortmund, Kiel, Berlin, Osnabrück, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt am Main, etc. in Germany on several times. I would like to say emphatically with pride and authority that apart from my earlier description of him, he was also a good counselor, a highly respectable Ghanaian traditionalist, and an experienced politician.
Mr. J. H. Mensah was optimistic that one day, Democracy will be restored in Ghana to benefit future and unborn generations. Significantly, Mr. Joseph Henry Mensah was my political mentor in Hamburg, Germany, and in the United Kingdom during the time of the political struggle against the PNDC regime in the 1980s.
INAUGURATION OF THE GHANA DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (GDM) IN
HAMBURG- GERMANY
The official Inauguration of the GDM took place on 21. 04. 1984 at Mensah, Dammtor, at the University of Hamburg.
EXTRACTS FROM HIS ADDRESS / SPEECH
Mr. J. H. Mensah, the main speaker of the inauguration lamented about the deep cries of Ghanaians on crimes against humanity and bad economic infrastructure, detentions without trial, low level of Ghana’s educational system, etc. conditions 27 years after independence with the hall filled to capacity. He reiterated that there has NOT been any successful military rule over the world.
He cited an example that Sir Winston Churchill, who rallied the British to victory during the 2nd world War as a Prime Minister was forced to resign immediately after the end of the war because they didn’t want to experience any military dictatorship in Great Britain and received standing ovation from the invited guests and participants, journalist, lawyers, as well as human-right groups, etc. who came to listen to his powerful and eloquent speech.
He concluded finally NOT for Ghanaians to rely on the United States of America, Great Britain, or Germany to fight for their freedom but to get involved in the struggle irrespective of their political affiliation, religion, and tribe through the mass media and with GOD ON OUR SIDE, the fight to restore DEMOCRACY IN GHANA will be successful one day in his lifetime and will equally spread over the continent of Africa to end military regime’s which was becoming rampant on the continent of Africa.
A GOOD GUESS IS AS GOOD
THINKING
A DREAM REALLY COMES TRUE
REGISTRATION OF NPP
MEMBERS IN HAMBURGIt was through Mr. J. H. Mensah +, that Hamburg gave birth to both the GDM & the NPP in Hamburg, Germany of fame streching to the Scandinavian countries and other European cities apart from the United Kingdom since there were no branches in these countries.
THE FIRST GIANT BIG TWO (2)
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE
NPP IN GERMANY
I, Oheneba Oduro-Opuni, Hamburg & Mr. George Kofi Afrifa, Kiel, a political scientist, who later became the General Secretary who is painfully incapacitated due to the stroke which striked him barely seventeen (17) years ago ending his political career shockingly organised the first historical political meeting of the NPP in Hamburg at Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr’s house, University of Hamburg in June, 1992 with some few Ghanaians when ban on party politics was lifted in Ghana officially.
However, Mr. George Kofi Afrifa’s name is inscribed in the sand mark of the documentations of both the GDM/NPP history books in Germany and Ghana for generations. Ghanaians were still scared to attend openly NPP meetings in Hamburg and activities after registration because of the threat of their lives and businesses in Ghana since the PNDC was still a threat and fearful to the general public.
REGISTRATION OF NPP MEMBERS IN HAMBURG CITY AND IT’S ENVIRONS
Soon after these memorable meetings and inauguration, Mr. J. H. Mensah +, sent twenty (20 ) NPP membership cards which was scarce to get in Europe to me to register Ghanaians in Hamburg. Within weeks, ALL the cards were sold out at fifty (50) Deutsche Mark (DM50) per one and more copies were ordered and have records of all those registered in my archives in Hamburg for reference purposes.
The vacuum created by the death of the giant politician, Mr. J. H. Mensah ,+ will take a very long time or years to be filled in modern day Ghanaian politics generally.
Finally, with deep sadness and painful reflections of memories, l stand up firmly like an ancientand active trained professional Roman active soldier and salute Mr. J. H. Mensah, + my political mentor, adviser, lecturer, and motivator as l celebrate his 5th anniversary after serving courageously, honestly, and sincerely Ghana, the country he loved and cared so much and a chapter in history has come to an end at his final journey to eternity.
I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family world-wide once again, more especially in Ghana and the great OSONO party members for the loss of such a DOYEN politician.
Honestly, Mr. J. H. Mensah + will be remembered by generations of Ghanaians who believed in Democratic principles and the rule of law, NPP members especially in the merchant city of Hamburg and generally in Germany for his unflinching support politically for those few fellow citizens who had direct political contact and relationship with him during the 1980’s dangerous long walk to freedom.
SEE THE BELOW CLASSICAL PICTURES AND THE EVENTS DEPICTING MOST OF MR. J. H. MENSAH’S ACTIVITIES IN THE GDM IN THE CITY OF HAMBURG
GERMANY
INAUGURATION OF THE GDM
The official inauguration of the GDM took place on 21. 04. 1984 at Dammtor, Mensa at the great hall at the University of Hamburg. See the attached classical Talking Drums publication front page with the General Secretary, Mr. George Kofi Afrifa reading the resolution of the demonstration at the hall with a helping hand from Oheneba Oduro-Opuni, the Assistant General Secretary.
- DEMONSTRATION PICTURES NR. 1 – 3
GDM members mostly Ghanaians, Germans and some African countries sympathisers demonstrating through the streets of Hamburg from Monkerbergstreet to the inauguration hall at Mensa, Dammtor, University of Hamburg. - PICTURE NR. 4 :
Mr. J. H. Mensah, + main speaker, addressing the audience at the great hall of the University where he delivered his powerful and penetrating speech with Mr. S. E. Osei (Agya Osei) of Hamburg, GDM Director Of Operations assisting him with the microphone. - PICTURE NR. 5
Line up of GDM Executives at the Inaugural Hall – R – L
Oheneba Oduro-Opuni, Messrs: George Kofi Afrifa, Dr. Edgar Twumasi, R. O. Frimpong-Manso, London delegate, Mr. J. H. Mensah +, main speaker of the inauguration, Edward Osei Ampadu, Dickson Kankam-Boadu and Agyemang Duah, London delegate. - PICTURE NR. 6
Mr. J. H. Mensah, discussing a point with Mr. Edward Osei Ampadu, National Chairman of the GDM with Mr. Dickson Kankam – Boadu sitting besides Mr. E. O. Ampadu. - PICTURE NR. 7
Oheneba Oduro-Opuni, the Assistant General Secretary & Financial Secretary of the GDM Launching an Appeal For Funds as part of the programme from the invited guest and participants at the inauguration hall at the University of Hamburg. - AT THE GLOBUS HOTEL NR. 8
A classical picture of some Senior Executives waiting for Mr. J. H. Mensah +, at the Globus hotel before attending the Thanksgiving Service on the 22. 04. 1984 in Hamburg namely from L – R : Messrs : Justice Amoateng, Nuemunster, Oheneba Oduro-Opuni, Hamburg, George Kofi Afrifa, Kiel and Edward Osei Ampadu, Hamburg. - PICTURE NR. 9
Mr. J. H. Mensah +, in a memorable picture with Oheneba Oduro-Opuni on 22. 04. 1984 after the Thanksgiving Service of the successful inauguration of the GDM at Bei der Hopfenkarre, Tonndorf, Hamburg where a private reception was reserved for the buoyant politician and the delegation from London.
GDM-GERMANY EXECUTIVES IN A GROUP PICTURE AT THE FRONT VIEW OF GLOBUS
HOTEL HAMBURG
The attached classical picture depicts some of the Executive members of the GDM in a memorable group picture at the front-view of the GLOBUS HOTEL, Horner Rennbahn, where the delegates from London were accomodated on 22. 04. 1984.
- PRESS CONFERENCE NR. 10
A press conference organised by the GDM in Dortmund on the 06. 03. 1987 which coincided with Ghana’s 30th Independence Anniversary with Mr. J. H. Mensah+, assiduously addressing the participants. With Oheneba Oduro-Opuni sitting besides him with some active members surrounded together with Mr. Gabriel Oppong, an organiser from Nurnberg in a group picture with Mr. J. H. Mensah, and Mr. R. O. Frimpong-Manso, a delegate from London. See the attached publication in the RUHR NACHRICHTEN SAMSTAG 07. 03. 1987 in Dortmund, Germany. - PICTURE NR. 11
A FOUNDING MEMBERS CERTIFICATE OF
THE GDM
A Founding Members Certificate Of the GDM issued to Oheneba Oduro-Opuni based on his unflinching political contributions and services signed by Mr. J. H. Mensah +, the giant politician himself on 01. 06. 1985 in the merchant city of Hamburg in one of the numerous seminars and activities the movement organised with him personally.
NOTE:
- A POLITICAL BACKGROUND IDENTITY IN
THE PFP IN GHANA :
A registered and dues paying membership card of the POPULAR FRONT PARTY – PFP of Oheneba Oduro-Opuni in Ghana in the 1970’s confirming his political career background. - TALKING DRUMS PUBLICATION
An article written by Oheneba Oduro-Opuni and published in the Talking Drums – entitled A DEMOCRATIC STATE NOW condemning the junta about the secret death squad in Ghana in 1984. I was declared wanted to face treason charges by the PNDC regime in a military tribunal in Accra in a letter from Hamburg, written by Mr. Frank Kwaw Cudjoe and published in the Daily Graphic magazine in Ghana. - PICTURE NR. 12
The attached classical picture depicting from L-R : Dr. Wolfgang Peters, a young German legal consultant for the GDM, who helped the movement to get registered at the Hamburg Administrative Court, Oheneba Oduro-Opuni, the Assistant General Secretary/Financial Secretary of the GDM and Mr. Dickson Kankam Boadu, the National Coordinator, in one of the numerous symposiums in September, 1984 at the University of Hamburg. - PICTURE NR. 13
A classical picture of Mr. J. H. Mensah+ standing addressing the participants namely, GDM Executives in Germany with German business gurus, lawyers, human rights groups and the public. He enlightened the audience about the current political situation in Ghana at that time and what future NPP government will do to bring investment in Ghana. He equally answered questions participants raised perfectly. - PICTURE NR. 14
A SYMPOSIUM AT THE AUDIMAX UNIVERSITY OF HAMBURG- 29. 09. 1984
A symposium organised by the GDM at the Audimax, University of Hamburg which coincided with Ghana’s 27th Independence Anniversary. From L – R : Messrs : R. O. Frimpong Manson, (speaker), London, Col. (rtd) Annor Odjija, ex-Director of Ghana’s Military Intelligence (main speaker), and Prof. Dr. Rainer Tetzlaff (Chairman), lecturer in political Science at the University of Hamburg
NOTE: The Ghanaian Sphinx, reflections on the Contemporary History Of Ghana, 1972 – 1987, by the late Prof. Albert Adu Boahene, formerly Professor and Head of the Department of History, University of Ghana. Being the J. B. DANQUAH MEMORIAL LECTURES, 1988, Under the Auspices of The Ghana Academy Of Arts & Sciences. The above powerful and historical lectures ever held in Ghana during the culture of silence period under the PNDC was Edited and Published by THE GHANA DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (GDM) branches in- ACCRA, LONDON, HAMBURG, NEW YORK AND PARIS under the able chairmanship of the late Mr. J. H. Mensah+.
NOTE – The history about the Formation of NPP in Germany
I disseminate this vital information meant for ALL NPP Hamburg Chapter and Germany Branch good members as well as the general public around the globe as follows :
Assiduously, the comprehensive and explicit ongoing detail documentation about the history and how the merchant city of Hamburg gave birth to NPP Germany in extensive form will be published when ready for its numerous Ghanaian NPP members and the general public. Interestingly, the memoir is a book of thrilling, electrifying, spectacular, and amazing with more pages of credible and perfect supporting evidence of documents; to serve the interest of both our good members, and equally the general public who will get access to read the historical book. Thank you.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE
AMEN
MR. J. H. MENSAH DAMIRIFA
DUE ENE AMANIHUNU
Regards,
Signed:
Oheneba Oduro-Opuni
Founding Member Of G.D.M
Ghana Democratic Movement
Hamburg – 1982 – 1992
Founding Member NPP
Hamburg – Germany
1992 –
Interim Gen. Secretary 1992
Former Hamburg Chapter
&
National Financial Secretary
1992 – 2014
Former Vice-Chairman
Hamburg Chapter – 2014 – 2018
Chairman Of Council of Elders
&
Chairman Of National Council Of
Elders – Germany – 2022 –
Advisory Board & Disciplinary
Committee Member – 2023
God Bless Our Homeland
Ghana And Make Our Nation Great And Strong
Long live NPP Hamburg Chapter
Long live NPP Germany Branch
Long live NPP Ghana
