Sylvester Mensah, Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), on Saturday night launched a must-read autobiography, ‘In the Shadows of Politics: Reflections from My Mirror’, to mark his 50th birthday.
The first copy was auctioned for a jaw-dropping cash amount of $25,000 while the second and third copies went for GH¢50,000 and GH¢30,000 respectively. The auction of other copies raised an additional cash amount of GH¢250,000 with pledges amounting to over GH¢100,000.
The launch was attended by highly respected members of the clergy, academia, chieftaincy, corporate Ghana, the media and political parties.
Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi, who wrote the forward of the book and Prof. Esi Sutherland Addy, who did the book review at the launch paid glowing tributes to the author for his “daring nature” and courage with which he confronts some rather thorny topics in the book, his style of writing as well as content.
Kweku Baako Jnr Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide and Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of the Insight also commended Mr. Mensah for daring to write hismemoirs to serve as a guide and an inspiration in a country where high-flying citizens, especially politicians, public office holders and even the clergy do not often write.
“I did not write this book with the aim of making money…but from the feedback I am getting from my publishers, AuthorHouse, the book would bring me some positive fortunes that would enable me to become more useful to society,” Sylvester Mensah noted in is vote of thanks.
He also announced that the GH¢50,000 amount at which the second copy was bought would be donated to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) while a percentage of the proceeds would be given to charity.
The publisher, AuthorHouse, on their website, describes In the Shadows of Politics: Reflections from My Mirror as a 153-page must-read book which recounts the life, loves, escapades and exploits of Sylvester A. Mensah, the man, scholar, technocrat, politician, and family man in a “raw and uncut” fashion.
It says the book is an engrossing narrative, which takes the reader on an exciting journey through the vicissitudes of life lived in familial and other settings, for the most part in Ghana. Like all life stories, it has the element of a roller-coaster of highs and lows; a story of fortitude in the face of difficulty and of triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
It says the book is set in an African context; it is a brilliant exposé on a life lived in an era of socio-political and economic adjustments and transformation in post-independence Ghana.
The transition from military rule to democratic governance allowed the emergence of democratic institutions, a development which provides the context for some of the intrigues characteristic of human associations – a dimension which further enriches the narrative.
Originally Published by: Daily Guide