Ghanaian community in Tokyo celebrates late President Mills

The Ghanaian Community in Japan has held a vigil to celebrate the life of late President John Evans Atta Mills exactly a month after his passing.

Hundreds of Ghanaians and other African nationals gathered at the United Nations University at the heart of the worlds largest city, Tokyo, to celebrate the life of the late President who passed on at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra on Tuesday July 24, 2012.

Dr William Branful, Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan, addressing the gathering recalled the qualities the late President Mills stood for and entreated all to emulate his traits such us humility, conciliation, tolerance and mutual respect in their quest to build a better society.

He said “it is important to rededicate ourselves as Ghanaians to the cause of Ghana and uphold the good name of our country”.

The three-hour ceremony interspersed with an emotional video footage of the late President’s life and works, musical interlude by the Ghana Dance Ensemble, who are touring Japan, also witnessed several touching tributes.

Leaders of the various groups, political leaders including the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) all made a call for unity of purpose to develop Ghana while paying tribute to the late President.

Christian Asante, on behalf of the NPP Japan Chapter, said “there are many successful Ghanaians who were at some point taught by Prof Mills including his most critical political opponents who continue to sing praises on his teaching abilities.

“His contribution to Ghana’s current status as a model of democracy in Africa is immeasurable. He touched many lives so positively and leaves an amazing legacy behind’.

The late President Mills is the only Ghanaian leader to have died while in office. He was 68.