5 things Atta Mills once said that reflect his vision for a united and peaceful Ghana

Today, July 24, 2024, marks the 12th anniversary of the passing of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, a former President of Ghana.

He was a symbol of peace and a champion of democracy, remembered for his compassion, selflessness, and dedication to the nation.

GhanaWeb revisits five memorable quotes that reflect his vision for a united and peaceful Ghana as compiled by pulse.com.gh.

Unity and Inclusion

"I have always said that I will be President for all Ghanaians, whether they voted for me or not and without consideration for which part of the country they come from. It will be my duty as President to heal wounds and unite our dear nation."

Peace and Cooperation

"As we approach the December Presidential and Parliamentary elections, it is my prayer and hope that we shall continue to preserve and maintain the peace, remain united, and focused as people with one destiny. We can hardly achieve meaningful development if the citizenry, on whose behalf we are managing the country, does not support and cooperate with us."

Fairness and Justice

"I will not condone actions that will pit one citizen against the other as a way of settling political scores. That is unacceptable and will not be the Ghanaian way of doing things. The Ghanaian way should be that, under the Rule of Law, and with the benchmark of due process, any violations of the laws of Ghana will be addressed in a manner that is fair, balanced, and right in the sight of God."

Reflection and Progress

"As a people, our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to the ideals that unite rather than divide us and have attached ourselves to a common-sense purpose. Let this day not just see us enjoying just the holiday part of it; let us find time to reflect on the way forward as we strive to build a Better Ghana."

Sustaining Peace

"As a nation, we have no other option but to "sustain the peace" we are enjoying in order to broaden the frontiers of our democracy and development. At no point in time should we take the peace we are enjoying for granted. Our fallen heroes and Founding Fathers toiled to give us this dear nation, and we dare not destroy what they have toiled to build."

Achievements and Impact

Born on July 21, 1944, Professor Mills became the President of Ghana after two previous defeats in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.

'Uncle Atta', as he was affectionately called, immediately started working to fix the country’s economy after he assumed power on January 7, 2009.

As an educationist, Professor Mills also turned his attention to improving the quality of teaching and learning in the country. In this regard, the regime abolished the shift system in public schools and embarked on an aggressive removal of schools under trees.

Professor John Evans Atta Mills' legacy continues to inspire Ghanaians to strive for peace, unity, and development. He demonstrated his commitment to the well-being of all citizens, regardless of their background or political affiliation.

JKB/OGB