MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, HIS EXCELLENCY PROFESSOR JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS, HELD AT THE CROWN HOTEL, SEOUL, KOREA
ON SUNDAY 26THAUGUST, 2012
Following the sudden death of the Late President, His Excellency Prof. John Evans Atta Mills on 24th July, 2012 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, The Embassy of the Republic Ghana, led by Her Excellency Mrs. Margaret Clarke Kwesie, celebrated the life of the late President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills by opening a book of condolence which was signed by Hon. Ahn Ho-Young, first Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), Ambassadors, and Diplomats as well as Koreans from the private sector.
A memorial and thanksgiving service was subsequently held at the Crown Hotel on 26th August, 2012. In attendance were Ambassadors from African countries such as Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, South Africa, Tunisia, and other members of the diplomatic corps in the host country, USA, Bangladesh, Ecuador, the Clergy, Ghanaian residents in Korea, Ghanaian students and other distinguished guests from the African community in South Korea. Private sector companies were all at the service to join the Embassy to celebrate the life of the late President.
Her Excellency Mrs. Margaret Clarke Kwesie, expressed her gratitude to all who came to join the staff of the Embassy to honour the late President, She described Prof. John Evans Atta Mills as a man of peace, kind, and humble. She read the tribute that depicted the late President as a man who had contributed immensely to Ghana’s foreign policy, and had also shown diligence in matters bordering on regional and international peace and security. Ms. Louisa Aba Hanson (Minister-Counsellor) read the biography which outlined the humble beginnings, and excellent academic achievements of the late President.
The officiating Minister, Rev. David Alale of the Assemblies of God in Ghana who was on a visit to Korea delivered the sermon on the theme “The Up-ward Journey of the Righteous” based on the scripture from Psalm 84:1-7. He likened the Late President J.E.A. Mills life to the journey of the Jews to Cannan where there were barriers to overcome, much the same way the late President had overcome barriers and made it to his heavenly home successfully. He indicated that the Jews were motivated in the journey because they knew they were going to be with God in his house.
Rev. Alale however, emphasized that for the Jews to get to their destination, they needed to travel through valleys with weeping and pains. According to the Reverend Minister, the late President went through a lot of challenges but because he had faith in God, he overcame all the barriers and achieved the breakthroughs in life by making God his source of strength. The Preacher urged the congregation to always seek God’s direction and make him their source of strength as Professor Mills did on earth.
He concluded his sermon by saying that the Jews’ journey to Jerusalem was a picture of the believer’s up-ward journey to heaven but there are challenges along the way but the believers must put strength in God and make Him their victory, as the late President Prof Mills exhibited commitment and dependency on God in all that he did. The tributes from Ghanaians and other part of the world, including South Korea are testimony that he had appeared before God in Zion.
The two hour programme was also interspersed with hymns and prayers for the departed soul and the family left behind which was moderated by Rev. Mark S Aidoo. The service came to an end with a benediction by Rev Park Chang-Yoon, Moderator of Yeoundeungpo Presbyterian Church of Korea.
The officiating Ministers were Rev. Mark S. Aidoo, Rev. Kris Ewuntomal, Rev. Doris Juliet Attafuah, Rev. Daniel Essel, Rev. Reynolds Oware Ankamah, Pastor Bernard Yanzuh, and Rev. David Alale and Rev. A. Theodore.
KWASI ASANTE
COUNSELLOR/HOC
