JJ mediates child custody fight

Class News has learnt that former President Jerry John Rawlings is mediating talks between his daughter Zanetor Rawlings and former Asante Kotoko CEO Herbert Mensah to resolve a dispute between the two former partners over child custody.

Mr Mensah has filed a court suit against Dr Agyeman-Rawlings to gain access to his two children.

Mr Mensah, represented by Nene Amegatcher, filed the suit (A6/283/2016) on November 24, 2015 at the Family and Juvenile Court in Accra.

The suit is titled ‘Motion for access to Zethe Maia Mensah and Rhia Lyza Mensah’. It was filed per Section 44 of the Children’s Act 1988, Act 560.

It said: “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 given the applicant herein, reasonable access to Zethe 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.

Prior to the suit, Mr Mensah put the following message on his Facebook wall:

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 seven 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 advice, pride, and arrogance to determine their present future!

ClassFMonline.com placed a call to Mr Mensah over the suit but he declined comments. He said he did not want to speak to the media about his private life.

Dr Zanetor Rawlings was elected as parliamentary candidate for the Korle Klottey constituency in the governing National Democratic Congress’ primaries last week. She beat incumbent Nii Armah Ashitey.

Sources within the Rawlingses told Class News that the former President is making efforts to ensure the matter is resolved amicably.