General News of 2012-07-26

I was devastated as I saw Mills' lifeless body - Rev. Amoo-Darko

A close confidante of the late President said John Mills died because of his dedication to work and his passion to develop the country.

Rev. Nii Amoo Darko, a Member of the Council of State who saw the lifeless body of the president at the 37 Military Hospital narrated how the late president on numerous occasions defied the wise counsel of doctors to rest and rather stepped into the office to work because there was too much to do.

Even when it was obvious that his health had deteriorated Mills sneaked into the Castle to get one job done or another, Nii Darko told Joy News' Evans Mensah.

In a heart breaking revelation, the Council of State Member narrated how he mentioned the name of President Mills three times but no response came from the lifeless body of the president lying on a bed in a 37 Military Hospital ward.

Mills would have responded "Rev" or "doc" he stated, but not this time. It was then that he came to a shocking realisation that President Mills was no more.

"I am a pastor" he said, "but I am human first" he added in broken sobs and in watery eyes.

He said he offered to say his last prayer to President Mills in death.

According to Rev. Amoo Darko the late president complained of neck pains on Sunday so was unable to participate in church activities that day.

He added that on Tuesday around 12 noon he received a call that his friend, Prof. Mills had been rushed to the 37 Military Hospital on an emergency.

As he arrived at the ward where late President Mills was on admission, he was met with a loud cry from another close confidante of Mills.

According to Rev. Amoo-Darko, he was in a state of denial and requested to see the body of Prof. Mills.

He stated that Prof. Mills used himself as a sacrificial lamb and dedicated his life to the service of this country till he died in the process.