Ex-Kotoko chief Herbert Mensah has landed himself in a messy child custody battle with Dr Ezanetor Rawlings, daughter of Ghana’s former president Jerry John Rawlings, who just last week won the NDC Klottey-Korley primary to contest the Parliamentary seat next year.
In a legal tussle slapped at the Juvenile court in Accra on Tuesday, will attract the maximum publicity in the wake of the electoral victory of the first daughter of the long-standing former Ghanaian leader.
The iconic former Kotoko Chief Executive could be locked up in a bitter custody battle with Dr Rawlings over their two children. - Zethe Maia Mensah and Rhia Lyza Mensah for months.
The successful businessman claims to have made several attempts to get access to his children without success, leading to the decision to seek redress in court.
He is asking the court to order his one-time 'sweetheart' to furnish him with 'reasonable' update on their children pertaining to their official residence, health, school, and progress since they relocated to Ghana in January this year.
The love-turned sour story will likely gain inches in the Ghanaian media amid a family crisis waiting in the wings.
He has reportedly filed a writ at the Juvenile Court (Suit No. A6/283/2016) against his one-time lover under Section 44 of the Children’s Act 1998, Act 560 to gain custody of their two kids.
The writ states: “Take notice that this honourable court will be moved by Nene Amegatcher, Esq Counsel for and on behalf of the Applicant herein praying this Honourable Court for an order giving the Applicant herein reasonable access to Zeithe Maia Mensah and Rhia Lyza Mensah (The Children) in general and in particular for an order that:
- The children spend their holidays and weekends with the Applicant throughout the period of school holidays and weekends either in the Applicant’s home in Ghana or London;
- That the children’s biological mother, Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings the respondent herein, furnish the Applicant with an update report on the children since they relocated to Ghana in January 2015 regarding their official residence, health, school and progress report.
Mr Mensah, whose posture and commentaries on Ghana football portrays him as moralist and upright could be in for a long haul of public exposure of his private life.
A facebook post by Mr Mensah suggested the reasons for resorting to the court to seek redress.
'What do you do when you have been wronged and instead of seeking a legal route for settlement you choose dialogue and it is ignored.
'This has happened to me and since the beginning of the year i have made 48 attempts (still counting) to communicate for resolution and only spoken 7 times (ignored, disrespected or selectively answered on other occasions)!
'Anyone who knows me will appreciate that i am a deep thinker and rarely act rashly or push disagreements to points of litigation. Indeed i believe that litigation should only be a last resort after you have tried and indeed foretold on more than 20 occasions.
'Sadly i now head for satisfaction and relief knowing the implications to many people's lives and careers. It is truly sad when people allow bad advise, pride and arrogance to determine their present future!”
His close association with the former first family was viewed as curious but it appears the latest stand-off has confirmed widespread suspicions of his romantic rendezvous with the daughter of former Ghanaian leader Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr Mensah is a popular figure in the West African nation after he transformed the biggest club in Ghana, Kotoko, during his three year stint at the club.
Patrick Akoto,
Follow on twitter @Patakoto1