Francisca Oteng-Mensah is the former Member of Parliament of Kwabre East
The Chief Executive Officer of the Angel Group of Companies, Dr. Kwaku Oteng, has shared the story of how the former Member of Parliament of Kwabre East, Francisca Oteng-Mensah, was detained by UK officials at Gatwick Airport for over five hours while traveling.
According to him, he stated that his daughter, the lawmaker, was questioned by the authorities alone, without any legal representative or guardian present, following her detention.
He said he believed this was an attempt to investigate his business dealings and wealth.
He added that this occurred after the authorities became aware of his prominence on the internet and his influence as a businessman in the country, at a time when the lawmaker was just 12 years old and traveling with a friend.
“I knew my daughter, Francisca Oteng-Mensah, was a special child right from the onset of her birth. I remember in 2005, at the time she was 12 years old and she had to travel to the UK with my friend. There are three airports in the UK so she used the Gatwick Airport.
“She was detained at the airport for five hours because they saw that her father was a prominent person on the internet at the time. I asked her why she didn’t use Heathrow Airport instead of Gatwick and she said it was because my friend she was traveling with used that route to book his flight,” he narrated during an interview on Angel FM.
He added, “She was interviewed by about six UK officials who bombarded her with numerous questions. I only learned about her detention later when I received a call informing me of the incident. I had so much faith in her that I wasn’t overly worried. Afterward, I asked her about the questions she was asked, and she mentioned that she was surprised she had to endure such an ordeal.”
Dr. Oteng went on to speak highly of his daughter, the former Kwabre East MP and former Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, emphasising how special he always knew she would grow to be.
He further added that Oteng-Mensah’s election as a lawmaker, and her becoming the youngest MP at the time of her election at 23, did not surprise him, as he had always believed she was destined for greatness, especially after her UK ordeal at the age of 12.
Francisca Oteng-Mensah served as the Kwabre East for two terms between 2016 and 2020 after winning her parliamentary seat on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.
Watch the video below:
MAG/AE
Meanwhile, you can also watch the latest compilation of Twi news below: