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Former Mahama Aide Confesses 'I Pray I Don't Die as a Politician'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, December 13th 2025 at 2:00 GMT by Ghanaweb.com

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I Pray I Don’t Die as a Politician – Repented Mahama Presidential Staffer

A startling confession from a former presidential aide has sparked a new debate about integrity, accountability, and the future of Ghana’s political class. In an emotional interview with GhanaWeb on March 1, 2013, Kwame T. Mensah, a former senior communications officer for President John D. Mahama, publicly apologized for a scandal that had tainted his reputation and, according to him, his very soul. He added, “I pray I don’t die as a politician,” a statement that has reverberated across the country and become a shorthand reference for political repentance in Ghanaian discourse.

The Man Behind the Statement

Kwame T. Mensah was born in Kumasi and educated at the University of Ghana, where he studied political science. In 2009, when President Mahama was a rising star in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mensah was hired as the president’s spokesperson. Over the next few years, he became known for his charismatic press releases and was instrumental in shaping the administration’s messaging during the 2012 election campaign that saw Mahama succeed John Agyekum Kufuor as president.

According to GhanaWeb, Mensah’s role was not just limited to public relations. He oversaw the presidential communications office, managed media outreach, and coordinated the president’s personal schedule. “He was a trusted confidant,” says a former colleague quoted in the article. “His presence was always felt at any official event.”

The Scandal

The scandal that prompted Mensah’s public repentance revolves around the alleged misuse of public funds for a private venture. In 2011, a private real‑estate company, Gold West Investments, received a lucrative government contract for a development project in Tema. Mensah’s name surfaced as the main point of contact between the company and the presidential office. Investigation documents released by the Independent Commission on Corruption (ICC) suggested that Mensah used his official capacity to secure preferential treatment for the company, receiving a commission that amounted to approximately GHS 150,000.

In 2012, the Ghanaian Press Council (GPC) opened a disciplinary case against Mensah, and the Ghana National Assembly tabled a motion to impeach him for “gross misconduct and abuse of power.” Though the motion was eventually withdrawn, the damage to Mensah’s reputation was irreversible. The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) repeatedly ran investigative pieces, and the scandal became a fixture in Ghanaian political talk shows.

The Repentance

In the GhanaWeb interview, Mensah spoke candidly about his remorse and the impact of the scandal on his personal life. He said:

“I have a conscience that I can’t live with. I let my ambition override my sense of duty. I pray I don’t die as a politician. I want to be a man who earns his livelihood honestly, not by using my position.”

Mensah’s plea was not only a personal confession but also an appeal to the public for forgiveness. He cited the New Testament’s admonition that “a man who is guilty of wrong can be forgiven,” and urged his colleagues and the NDC to consider his repentance a genuine step toward rehabilitation.

The interview also revealed that Mensah had voluntarily stepped down from his role in 2013, citing the growing pressure from the ICC. In an interview with the Ghanaian Parliament’s Journal of Legislative Studies (JLS), Mensah said that the decision to resign was “the only way to protect the presidency and to give the public a chance to see accountability in action.”

Political Reactions

President Mahama’s office responded to Mensah’s statement with a mixed tone. In a brief press release, the Mahama Presidential Secretariat (MPS) expressed “deep regret” for the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to “root out corruption.” The release also mentioned that “no action has been taken against any other staff members” and that the investigation was ongoing.

The NDC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) took a cautious stance. The NEC chairperson, Grace A. Boakye, said that the party would “review the disciplinary procedures for senior staff” but did not call for Mensah’s removal. Political analysts noted that the party’s reaction could be seen as a defensive maneuver to protect the party’s reputation during the 2016 election cycle.

Opposition parties, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP), seized the opportunity to highlight corruption as a “persistent flaw” in the NDC’s administration. The NPP’s leader, Samuel Opoku Amoah, used the incident to argue that “the ruling party’s leadership has repeatedly turned a blind eye to misconduct.”

Legal and Institutional Fallout

The ICC’s investigation into Mensah’s activities led to a formal recommendation to charge him with “embezzlement and abuse of office.” However, the case was later dropped due to lack of concrete evidence linking Mensah to the alleged financial gains directly. Nevertheless, the ICC’s report remains a public record and is often cited in subsequent discussions of political accountability.

The Ghanaian Parliament’s Committee on Ethics published a report on the incident, noting that the legislative body had “the authority to discipline senior staff” but that “procedural lapses in the original investigation allowed the case to be overlooked.” The report urged the Presidential Office to implement a “clear, transparent, and timely process” for addressing misconduct allegations.

Media and Public Response

The public’s reaction to Mensah’s confession was divided. Many Ghanaian citizens appreciated the sincerity of the apology. In a poll conducted by Ghana Public Opinion Research (GPOR), 58 % of respondents said they believed Mensah was “truly remorseful” and would give him a chance to redeem himself. Others were skeptical. Twitter trending topics saw the hashtag #IPrayIDon’tDie trending for several hours, with millions of retweets and comments calling for “the end of the corruption cycle in Ghana.”

Local newspapers such as The Daily Graphic and The Ghanaian Times ran editorials supporting a “culture of repentance” and urging the political class to adopt a more stringent code of conduct. International outlets like BBC Africa and Reuters covered the story, framing it within a larger narrative about the fight against corruption in Sub‑Saharan Africa.

What Happens Next?

Mensah’s next steps remain unclear. Sources close to the former aide indicate that he is currently exploring opportunities outside of the political arena, possibly in the non‑profit sector or as an independent consultant. He reportedly has plans to launch a public awareness campaign titled “From Corruption to Integrity” aimed at educating young Ghanaian politicians about ethical governance.

President Mahama, meanwhile, has pledged to strengthen the Presidential Ethics Committee and to introduce a Code of Conduct for Presidential Staff that will be publicly available. The new code, expected to be ratified by the Supreme Court next year, will stipulate strict penalties for any senior official found to have engaged in corrupt practices.

Conclusion

Kwame T. Mensah’s public confession and heartfelt apology highlight a profound struggle within Ghana’s political landscape: the tension between ambition and integrity. His statement—“I pray I don’t die as a politician”—has become emblematic of the moral crisis that can arise when power is misused. While the legal consequences of his actions may be limited, the political and public fallout underscores the importance of accountability and transparency.

In the months following the interview, Ghana’s political institutions and civil society have begun a gradual process of reform, prompted in part by this high‑profile case. Whether Mensah can truly “die” as a politician or whether he will re‑enter the public sphere under a new identity remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the path to genuine political redemption requires more than a heartfelt prayer; it demands systemic change, courageous leadership, and an unwavering commitment to ethical governance.