I am greatly indebted to Professor Mills – Mahama

Erstwhile president John Dramani Mahama has said that he is glad to have had the opportunity to work with his late predecessor John Evans Atta Mills.

The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) indicated that Professor Mills led by example adding that the late professor extended his graciousness even to those who “vilified and maligned him.”

According to Mahama, the characteristics exhibited by Mills had an impact on his political career and as a result, “I am greatly indebted to him, Professor Mills, for the opportunity to learn at his feet, for the impact he had on my political life and the great lessons in national over partisan service.”

He further described his former boss as a man who stood for the highest ideals of leadership and the greatest aspirations of Ghana’s democracy.

Again, he noted that Professor Mills placed principles over partisanship, and above political advantage.

To him, President Mills “believed in the rule of law, and respected the primacy and interests of the Ghanaian people. He supported the integrity and independence of our national institutions. He was empathetic and kind, and measured success by the welfare of the least among us.”

John Mahama eulogized Prof Mills in a statement read on his behalf by National Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo during a commemoration of the seven-year anniversary held in honour of the late president at the Asumdwe Park today

He urged political colleagues to emulate the principles and leadership style of the late president John Evans Atta Mills.

“This annual commemoration affords us a solemn moment to consider our fidelity to the Good Professor’s example and to reflect on the principles and practice of his leadership style.” He noted

Prof Mills served as President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012.

He was inaugurated on 7 January 2009, having defeated the then-governing party candidates Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 national elections.

Previously, he was the Vice-President from 1997 to 2001 under President Jerry John Rawlings, and he stood unsuccessfully in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections as the candidate of the NDC.

He was the first Ghanaian President to die in office.



Below is the full statement:

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA, FLAGBEARER OF THE NDC READ ON HIS BEHALF BY COMRADE SAMUEL OFOSU AMPOFO, NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE NDC AT THE WRETAH LAYING CEREMONY TO MARK THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS.

24/07/19

Your excellences,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

Members of the National Executive Committee

Honourable Members

Fellow Akatamansonians

My brothers and sisters,

We have gathered yet again, here at the Asomdwee Park, to honour a great democrat and true patriot of our country- a Great Man and His Legacy.

It is seven years already since we lost President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, a man who stood for the highest ideals of leadership and for the greatest aspirations of our democracy.

He elevated the Office of the President above the rising bitterness of our partisan politics. He redefined presidential morality. For his commitment to the path of peace, we all conferred on him, “Asomdweehene”.

He held himself to the highest standards of moral courage and civic responsibility. And for all these, we the people of Ghana owe John Evans Atta Mills a great debt of gratitude.

President Mills believed in the rule of law, and respected the primacy and interests of the Ghanaian people. He supported the integrity and independence of our national institutions. He was empathetic and kind, and measured success by the welfare of the least among us.

Professor Mills placed principles over partisanship, and above political advantage. He believed that the promise of tomorrow should not be derailed by the sins of yesterday and by its vengeances.

He eschewed avarice, and led by the example of his uncommon humility and simplicity. His graciousness extended even to those who vilified and maligned him, and he wore their respect as a medal of honour. I am greatly indebted to him, Professor Mills, for the opportunity to learn at his feet, for the impact he had on my political life and the great lessons in national over partisan service.

Through this professional excellence - through this great personal morality - John Atta Mills bequeathed a faithful example to all who aspire to leadership in this nation.

This annual commemoration affords us a solemn moment to consider our fidelity to the Good Professor’s example and to reflect on the principles and practice of his leadership style.



We are gathered here at a time when our commitment as a nation to fairness and transparency in government is wavering, as to the right and duty of Ghanaians to criticize their leaders on those grounds.

The culture of silence that is fast enveloping our country attests to a growing intolerance for dissent and critical opinions. It stands in stark contrast to the practice of freedom and justice that Professor Mills sought to consolidate under his leadership, and which I so effortlessly exemplified after taking over from him.

Ghana’s hard-won global reputation for media freedom has been badly dented under President Nana Akufo-Addo. We have seen it tarnished by denunciations of the press, threats and instigations against journalists, selective and forcible shutdown of FM stations perceived to be critical of government among others.

At this time in our nation’s history, the qualities of President Mills’ leadership and the tenets of his personal morality take on a new lustre.

Professor Mills’ life and leadership have never been more relevant. The quality of the man and the clarity of his principles remind us of what leadership could be- and what all faithful Ghanaians desire that it ?should? be- a gold standard for civic conduct, for fairness, for personal accountability, and for moral courage in which people might find guidance and from which they may draw strength.

For the world, as it is said, is changed by our example, not by our opinion.

May we, Ghanaians, be ever mindful of this. We commit the soul of John Evans Atta Mills to the God he so loved, and his memory to the ages. May the Asomdweehene continue to rest in perfect peace. May his resting place forever remain a place of pilgrimage for generations.

On behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I pledge that in as much as the Asomdwee Park falls under the purview of the State, we shall nonetheless play our part in efforts to maintain this Park for posterity.

In my capacity as Chairman of the Party, I wish to add a few words in respect of the Atta Mills Memorial Library in Cape Coast, another monument dedicated to the honour of our late President.

While thanking the Telecom Chamber of Ghana for offering offering to fund the cost of the Library, its inability to make good that commitment in full has led to the unfortunate situation with the library.

The leadership of the party supports the Organizing Team as it continues to pursue the matter with the original sponsors even as we also support new initiatives to mobilize the needed funds to ensure the full functioning of the Library as early as feasible.

Rest in Peace, Prof- my guardian, my mentor and my boss.