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Sitting at the ‘table of scholars’ …exceptional story of Dr. Mrs. Wilhelmina Annie Mensah
As efforts intensify to correct norms and stereotypes that inhibit girls’ participation in science, more tenacious women continue to prove their mettle in the sciences being considered the preserve of men.
Dr. Mrs. Wilhelmina Annie Mensah, is one of Ghana’s young female scientists, who have over the years stuck to her vision of “sitting at the table of scholars” despite setbacks.
At 35, she has specialised in Nutrigenomics and Nutraceuticals/Bioceuticals (the science of using food as medicine as it relates to our genes/genome) and aims to make further inroads in her field of specialisation.
The Spectator recently interacted with the Researcher and Lecturer on aspects of her academic and professional journey as she encourages girls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to the highest level.
Having obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in February this year, she describes the past six years of her life as “a great learning phase” and attributes her feat to providence, perseverance and the role of a “solid support system.”
Interest
Dr. Mensah recalled her interest in science was kindled at St. Andrew Junior High School at Asante Mampong in the Ashanti Region after she was selected to represent her district at a STEM clinic for girls as well as a candidate in the National Kiddie quiz competitions.
Young as she was, she had won an award for taking up a school project to transform shea butter into a deodorised and ‘user-friendly’ product with mentorship from Prof. Williams Ofosu, current Head of Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana.
She said that her affection for the discipline, she grew further at St Louis Senior High School, where she studied General Science and featured in the National Maths and Science quiz competitions as a contestant.
After high school, she opted for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Biochemistry at KNUST which she loved to do because of the diverse areas the course could be applied.
“I loved Biology and Chemistry and came top in my class in high school on many occasions so I knew I had to do something relating to these subjects.
“My tutor [in high school] had explained what Biochemistry was all about and because I wanted to work in industry, I thought I needed a course that would help me get there,” she said.
Further studies
At KNUST, Dr. Mensah participated in several trade and technology exhibitions organised by her department and later became chair of the Organising Committee in her final year and was subsequently appointed a Teaching Assistant.
During her undergraduate studies, she again took up short Diploma Courses in Marketing and Customer Service to properly position herself for future endeavours.
Nonetheless, she admitted that the desire to pursue a Master of Philosophy (Mphil) in Clinical/Nutritional Biochemistry was nearly impossible, but for the financial intervention of Prof. Victoria Dzogberfia of the KNUST Biochemistry Department who absorbed her fees.
By dint of hard work, she was employed as a Research Assistant at KNUST and continued to develop her teaching skills before securing another teaching position at Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School, where she spent about four years teaching General Science and Biology.
In 2015, she gained employment as a lecturer at the Department of Medical Biochemistry at the University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry where she had served for the past seven years. In the same year, Dr Mensah was offered a Fellowship by the West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogen (WACCBIP), Legon.
Reaching the peak of the educational ladder, she noted, came with financial hurdles, sacrifices and commitment as she had to juggle family duties with research and academic work.
All the same, she praised WACCBIP for funding her research and studies as well as a host of mentors who made her dream of becoming a scientist come true, especially, Dr. Jonathan Adjimani of WACCBIP and the Department of Biochemistry who stirred her interest in Nutraceuticals.
Research
Dr Mensah is interested in Nutrigenomics and Nutraceuticals (substances that are used as food but bring about improvement in the quality of life and health).
In her PhD research, she sought to find particles in food that could be used in the treatment of tuberculosis and discovered that a compound found in the spice known as ‘rosemary’ could prevent the growth of the organism which causes tuberculosis.
Soon to be certified as Lactation Consultant, she is again on another journey of discovery that could most likely impact the lives of women positively.
“Now, my focus is discovering particles in food that can be used to enhance lactation in females as well as heal diseases that are related to the breast,” she said.
Explaining the essence of healthy nutrition in the general wellbeing of humans, she emphasised her commitment to impacting students with her in-depth scientific expertise.
The mother of three advises women to set clear and achievable goals. “Until you get there, you have to keep pushing. If you do not have any goal, you may have the perseverance but it would be like you are reaching out for nothing,” she said.
She insists that girls must not give up on science-related programmes as their determination would eventually pay off. “Build networks and don’t burn bridges,” she stressed.
Other Engagement
Dr Mensah is an entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer at Hearty Nutrition Africa, an entity that deals in lactation and breastfeeding products. She again runs ‘Kyemen Baby Online’, a fast growing online shop that deals in baby and mothercare products with a showroom at Adentan Frafraha with over 20 employees.
She is a member of Sasaabi Baptist Church where she runs a Good News Club for the children in the community. “There, I gather the children, feed them and then teach them to read the Bible,” she said.
She is married to Rev Amoako Kyei-Mensah to whom she is most grateful as well as other well-meaning individuals for “contributing significantly” to her educational journey.
By Ernest Nutsugah
He once sold kenkey to pay his school fees, and now wears the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police. DCOP Kofi Sarpong, police officer and award winning gospel musician is charting a journey few could script.
In an interview with The Spectator chronicling his rise, the newly promoted DCOP took us on his journey through the ranks.
Early Life
“I was born in Berekum in the Bono Region, then Brong Ahafo, to Comfort Yeboah, affectionately called Maame Yaa, and the late Chief Inspector Kofi Sarpong,” he said.
His family story is one of resilience. His mother had two children before her husband died in an accident. She later married Kofi Sarpong’s father, a police officer, and had two more, himself and his junior brother. “So we are four, unfortunately one is deceased, just last year, so we are three now.”
School and struggle
He started at Berekum Methodist Primary under the old ‘Sito’ system. In Form Two, he moved to Obuasi to stay with a guardian for his Form Three education, then returned to Berekum for Form Four. He later attended Berekum Senior High School where he studied General Arts and shone as an athlete, a sprinter in the 100m, 200m and 4x400m relay.
After O-Levels, his batch was the last to write the exams, his dream was to become a teacher because of his love for children. But financial hardship forced a detour.
“I decided to help myself by going to buy maize and started preparing kenkey to sell at lorry parks and markets in Berekum,” he recalled.
According to him, the people from Berekum know this story. “I can make all types of kenkey, Fante Kenkey, Ga Komi and others. Don’t be surprised to see Kofi Sarpong Kenkey one day.” The proceeds paid his upkeep.
For this reason, he advised the youth “Don’t see life as a smooth journey but find something prudent to do to help yourself in difficult times.”
After grinding his education to a halt due to financial challenges, he now holds a Degree in Public Administration from GIMPA, a Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy and Project Management, plus other higher certificates, with more in the offing.
The Police Call
When teaching did not materialise immediately, he moved to stay with his father at Osu, Accra. In 1994, he visited former IGP Nana Owusu-Nsia at Police Headquarters, who told about ongoing police enlistment.
In his head he declined, but outwardly he accepted to try reluctantly. Later, watching TV news and seeing long queues of young people aspiring to join the Police, he was inspired to reconsider.
He went to Berekum for his certificate. Accra enlistment had closed, so he joined the Kumasi exercise. He was selected, passed the exams and went to the Koforidua Police Training School, Galloway. After passing out, he was posted to the Logistics Unit at Police Headquarters.
At Headquarters, a senior officer encouraged young constables to further their education. He took a course in Purchasing and Supply via distance learning from a UK institution. 
Upon completion, the Police administration promoted him from Constable Class One to Chief Inspector, a leap that paved the way for him to enrol at the Police Academy. He graduated as ASP, and the climb to DCOP began.
“The officer corps starts from Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the cadet,” he explained. “When you graduate from the Police Academy, you are awarded ASP, and you move to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), that’s when I released album to start my music career professionally.”
From there, he rose to Superintendent of Police (SP), Chief Superintendent, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), and now Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP). Next is Commissioner of Police (COP).
Music found him in Sudan
On peacekeeping duty in Sudan, officers from different nations came together to hold fellowship led by a Nigerian officer. In December that year, with top-ranked officers present, Kofi Sarpong led the service to the admiration of all.
On his return to Ghana, a Colonel, who was a Matron at 37 Military Hospital and a member of the 37 Methodist-Presbyterian Church invited him to their harvest service. He ministered, and as he stepped out of church, a man approached him with an offer to record him. He declined.
Days later, at the office, the man, Ernest Kwesi, who owned Media Excel Production sent an elderly man to pursue him. He still declined. This compelled Ernest Kwesi himself to visit him at the office. “He told me he had seen something in me.”
Just after Ernest Kwesi left,Kofi Sarpong wrote to then Director General/Welfare, Mohammed Alhassan, and Paul Tawiah Quaye the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the time. “He opened the letter and said he had been waiting all this while because he had seen me perform at police officers’ events.”
He was summoned to the IGP’s office, a call which scared him, however, it was a good news; his request was approved. Against this backdrop, he informed Ernest Kwesi who quickly visited that evening with highlife musician Akwaboah Jnr., who taught him his first song, ‘Me ko nso hw3 mu’, and they went to the studio.
A song earlier recorded in reggae by Zapp Mallet was totally transformed by Nacee, so they released both versions on the album. Nacee, he says, hugely supported promotion, as did Mark Okraku-Mantey.
He also acknowledge Oware Jnr. who also wrote songs for him.
After his maiden album’s success, police leadership congratulated him. He says he is happy to have inspired other officers to write to the Service to pursue other interests.
An autobiography, he reveals, is in the offing.
Family and food
He is married to Mrs Salomey Sarpong with three children, two boys and a girl: Nana Nketiah, Maame Afia Yeboah Sarpong and Papa Kwabena Aseda Sarpong.
His hobbies are watching athletics and being with family. His favourite foods are fufu and konkonte with groundnut soup.
On music, he teased a collaboration with a top Nigerian artiste, promising fans “hot praises” soon.
He concluded by thanking Ghanaians for their support since his promotion, and thanked the Inspector General of Police for his guidance.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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WHEN some of her pupils failed to show up at school, Mary Adotei did not always assume they were absent. Sometimes, she went looking for them.
In the communities where she taught, getting a child into the classroom could require more than preparing lessons. Mrs Adotei remembers occasions when she had to visit the homes of pupils, bathe them, prepare them and bring them to school herself.
“There were times I had to go to the homes of some of the children, bathe them and bring them to school,” she recalled.
It is a memory that captures much of her journey over the years as a teacher, a profession she entered without knowing it would become central to her identity.
Now, after years of working with children and communities, Mrs Adotei is taking lessons from the classroom into a new arena.
She is contesting the position of Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa (AOB) Constituency in the Central Region, hoping to use her experience working with people to contribute to the welfare of women in the constituency.
But her story begins in the classroom.
After completing her basic and secondary education, Mrs Adotei spent 12 years working as a pupil teacher before she had the opportunity to receive professional training.
In 2006, she entered Fosu College of Education and completed her training in 2011 with a Diploma in Basic Education.
She returned to the classroom and has remained there since, teaching in different communities before moving to her current school, Catholic Boys Basic School in Breman Asikuma, in 2019.
The years have given her a front-row seat to the transformation education can bring.
Some of the children she once taught have grown into professionals, carrying the lessons they learnt in her classroom into hospitals, schools, offices and other workplaces.
Mrs Adotei said she had encountered former pupils who were now doctors, nurses, teachers and even a lawyer.
For a teacher, she said, such moments bring a special kind of satisfaction and reinforce the reason she remains passionate about education.
Her journey, however, has not been without difficult moments.
Teaching in local communities sometimes meant dealing with circumstances that went beyond academic work. Some pupils needed encouragement, personal attention and practical help before they could even settle down to learn.
Those experiences taught her that the challenges confronting people cannot always be solved from a distance. That understanding has followed her into her political activities.
Mrs Adotei has been involved in the NDC for years and previously served as a branch treasurer. She has also supported women in her branch, including assisting some to access medical treatment and providing help to families when the need arose.
She is now making her third attempt at becoming the constituency’s Women’s Organiser.
Her motivation is linked to what she has seen around her.
Mrs Adotei wants women in the constituency to have access to skills and opportunities that can help them become more economically independent.
She believes her years as a teacher have prepared her for the work, too, because the profession has taught her to listen, communicate, understand different circumstances and work patiently with people.
For her, the transition from teacher to political organiser is therefore not a complete departure from the path she has followed.
The classroom taught her to work with individuals. Politics, she hopes, will give her the opportunity to work with a wider group of women.
If elected, Mrs Adotei intends to continue teaching while taking up her political responsibilities. She said she would organise her time to attend meetings and constituency activities without abandoning her duties to her pupils.
Away from school and politics, she is a wife and mother of two sons who are pursuing their degrees at university.
Her message to young girls is shaped by everything she has seen education do for the children she has taught.
For Mrs Adotei, education remains one of the strongest tools available to young people, especially girls seeking to build better futures.
She wants them to stay in school, pursue further education and acquire skills that will prepare them for the future.
“Nowadays, you cannot go forward without education,” she said.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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