Why late former President John Evans Atta Mills is trending

The late former President John Evans Atta Mills has returned to social media trends since Saturday, February 21, 2026, following a remark by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, directed at the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The renewed attention comes amid criticism by the finance minister, who accused customs officials of negligence leading to significant revenue losses through smuggling.

At a meeting with customs officers, Dr Ato Forson expressed disappointment over what he described as serious lapses within the division.

“I am very disgusted about what happened yesterday and very, very, very disappointed,” he said.

“If you have a country with such magnitude of development challenges where unemployment is high, where schoolchildren are still studying under trees, where we struggle to fund Free Senior High School, where even basic amenities at certain hospitals are a challenge and you see revenue leakages of such magnitude coming from customs, you get disappointed.”

He further described the incident as “nothing short of organised crime,” adding, “It’s a group of citizens coming together to dupe a country.”

His comments quickly sparked online reactions, with many social media users sharing old videos of the late Professor Atta Mills making similar criticisms of customs officials during his

presidency.

Clips of the late president’s address have since resurfaced online, fueling conversations about revenue mobilisation, accountability and reforms within the customs division.

In April 2010, during an unannounced tour of revenue agencies, including the then Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), the Internal Revenue Service, the VAT Secretariat and the Ministry of Finance, the then President Mills openly expressed concern about alleged corruption within CEPS.

He stated that he had evidence of corrupt practices, including the abetment of cocoa smuggling by some officers.

Rare archival photo showing JJ, Atta Mills, and Nana Konadu together emerges

“I have pain in my heart because some of your colleagues are spoiling your good name,” he told officials. “I’m getting daily reports about acts of collusion, bribery, under-valuation, and worst of all, I have first-hand evidence of customs officers helping smugglers move goods across our borders. In one instance, I even have a video.”

Mills acknowledged that many officers were hardworking and selfless but warned that revenue leakages at the country’s largest revenue-mobilising agency had far-reaching consequences for the entire economy.

“When we took over, the huge budget deficit and domestic primary balance were in the negative, meaning we were consuming more than we were collecting,” he noted, urging officers to reflect on their responsibilities.

He emphasised that CEPS must live up to its standards and address under-collection of revenue. He also called on tax agencies to widen the tax net and ensure that all eligible income earners pay their taxes without fear or favour.

Responding to the President’s concerns in 2010, the Deputy Commissioner of CEPS in charge of Research and Monitoring at the time, Isaac Apronti, said some of the allegations were already under investigation.

He noted that one of the challenges in fighting corruption was that complainants often failed to provide supporting evidence. Nonetheless, he assured that the agency accepted the President’s challenge and would work to improve its performance.

AM

Ghana customs revenue leakage continues.

1. The late Former President Atta Mills' visit to the Customs Division in 2011 after Anas' exposé.

and…

2. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson visited the Customs Division at the Tema Port in 2026. He vowed sweeping reforms… pic.twitter.com/OrUGdnX3CZ

— 𝕏 Ghana 🇬🇭 (@xghana_) February 21, 2026

These situations at CEPS have been going on for far too long. The late Pres Atta Mills had a cause to complain bitterly during his time. We’re still seeing this happening again? We’ve gone past talking, investigate and get people arrested and jailed/ imprisoned. Simple. The law…

— WKHKYD? (@profdublyn_zee) February 22, 2026

Custom officers made a whole president weep in front of them.

They won't change because they are all politicians/ politician children 🙄.

If a whole Atta Mills couldn't match them who is an MP Ato Forson?

— AMARTIOUS (@amartious2000) February 21, 2026

The customs officers are our bane. President Atta Mills almost cried when he met them. 😢

Crack the whip if any of them is found wanting, a simple background investigation will reveal how they have benefited from this lucrative but simple work.

Many of them are politicians chdrn

— AMARTIOUS (@amartious2000) February 21, 2026

So since Atta mills ein time what dem do?

— manny (@trexdoc) February 21, 2026

The same place late President Atta mills went years back and was lamenting about the corruption there. That place dierr corruption headquarters oo

— Abiamka (@Abiamka_GH) February 21, 2026

Lamentations will not solve anything.

Atta Mills wept yet these guys didn't burdge.

Do a background check and see the property they have. Most of them have mansions yet there are employees of poor Ghana 🇬🇭.

Some say they are politicians children 🙄

— AMARTIOUS (@amartious2000) February 21, 2026

🇬🇭🚨Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has vowed sweeping reforms following the GH¢85 million transit fraud scandal, warning of strict action over alleged customs complicity and revenue losses.

Me: Ato Forson upholds the value of his boss Prof. Evans Atta Mills and goes hard…

— Uncle Paa Kwesi (@papakwesi_jr) February 21, 2026

Atta Mills bar for bar! https://t.co/JnCGMUyJe5

— G. O. O. D (@PUDDY_nLT) February 21, 2026