Ghanaian Community in Montreal celebrates the life of Mills

Members of the Ghanaian community resident in Montreal, Canada, gathered together on Sunday 12 August, 2012 on the premises of the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church in Montreal to celebrate the life of the 3rd President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. The ceremony, organised jointly by Ghana-Canada House and the Christian Council, two Ghanaian community organisations based in Montreal, was well attended by the Ghanaian general community including key luminaries in the community, and also had the patronage of the Deputy High Commissioner of Ghana to Canada H.E. Mr. Obeng Koranteng. It was held at 4pm.

The event opened with a prayer and welcome address from Rev. Sowah Ablorh, the Minister of the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church of Montreal followed by singing of the Ghanaian national anthem. The praises and adoration session was led by the 'mass choir' comprising choristers representing most of the Ghanaian churches in Montreal. The Deputy High Commissioner of Ghana to Canada, Mr. Obeng Koranteng read the biography of His Excellency Prof. J .E.A Mills,. Deputy High Commissioner also talked of his personal interactions with Professor Mills, a man he described as a man of honor, integrity and honesty; one you could not imagine even raising his voice in anger. He lamented that though there was now a huge outpouring of love and sympathy from the Ghanaian populace, both abroad and at home and praises for the work and attitude of the late President, none of this was evident whilst Professor Mills was alive. He beseeched Ghanaians to give due respect and appreciation to our leaders while they are alive and could do with motivation, rather than waiting to praise them only after death.


A touching personal tribute to the late President was read by fellow School mate Dr. Horace Laryea, an oncologist who is also the Chairman of the Board of Ghana-Canada House and President of the Sickle Cell Society. He described Prefect Mills, as he was known in Achimota Secondary School, as a humble pleasant person who did not bully but rather embraced newcomers and old students alike. He also said that despite the late president excelling in multiple sports and academics he was never a show-off. Dr Laryea also portrayed a generous Professor Mills, who made a generous personal donation to the Sickle Cell Society when he first visited Montreal in the 1990s as Finance Minister in the Cabinet of H.E. President J.J. Rawlings. Dr. Laryea again reiterated a common theme of the event, the immense humility of the late President Mills, his integrity, honesty and dedication to duty; a set of characteristics that made it extremely difficult for even his political enemies to say anything negative about him. Speaking on behalf of the Ghanaian community in Montreal Mr. Akwasi Safo, a member of Ghana-Canada House praised the achievements of the late president in his very short time in office, he also commended the spirit of peace and togetherness that has prevailed in the wake of this sad news and talked about how humble, and gracious the late president was in dealing with Ghanaian community leaders during the President last trip to Ottawa in 2011.


The scripture readings were read in Akan by Seth Yaw Nti and in English by Apostle Frimpong and were from the Book of Job. Pastor John Arhin of the Apostles’ Continuation Church gave the sermon, elaborated further on the story of Job, who despite being afflicted by numerous ailments and despite losing his family and being neglected by his friends did not lose his faith in the almighty. He likened this to the way the late President was maligned in the press by his detractors without him returning an equally vocal and abusive response and he also likened it to the faith the late President had in God, even to his last day. He preached the importance of always thanking God for all events in our lives due to humans not knowing the true purpose served by each event.

Following the sermon, the entire congregation sang the patriotic song of Ghana, 'Y?n ara Y'asaase Ni' and the prayers were led by Rev. Emmanuel Ohene-Gyimah, Rev. Emmanuel Kwadwo Ofori and Pastor Grace Boakye-Agyeman respectively for the family of the late President, the health of the Ghanaian Economy, and peace, stability and transparency in Ghana's upcoming elections. The closing Benediction was given by Pastor James Quainoo of the Church of Pentecost, Montreal. He too, like others before him, described an exchange with the late President in Ottawa, when the President repeatedly offered to look for his brother, after Pastor Quainoo asked the whereabouts of the latter.


The evening was capped with a reception at the Mama Africa Social Club, 911 Jean Talon West, Nana Kwarteng Amaning an executive member of Ghana Canada House used the opportunity to thank all present and especially the Deputy High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. Obeng Koranteng for his participation and kind support.