Aides deny Atta Mills suffers stroke

An aide to former Vice President, John Atta Mills has denied rumours and media reports that he has suffered a stroke and undergoing treatment in South Africa.

Accra has been rife with rumours throughout the last week that Professor Mills has been confined to bed because of a sudden stroke, with some anti-opposition NDC news outlets reporting that he has suffered a mild stroke.

Others rumoured that the former Vice President who has been away from the country for two months is receiving treatment for cancer of the throat.

But one of his aides told daily Express that he is “doing very well and has at no time suffered mild or severe stroke.”

He however confirmed that the year 2000 and 2004 NDC presidential candidate underwent what he termed ‘normal medical check-up’ while in South Africa for sinuses.

Sinus infection is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages, and can cause headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or on one side of the head.

Medical journals say a person with a sinus infection may also have a cough, a fever and nasal congestion with thick nasal secretions.

According to the special aide, Professor Mills will return to Ghana at the end of the month to launch his campaign for a third shot at the NDC flagbearer-ship.

With the campaign to lead the NDC heating up in his absence, the former law lecturer and one0term Vice President announced his interest from South Africa where he has been since.

Mills according to daily Express enquiries left Ghana on Good Friday for a ten-day trip to China, returned to Ghana and left the very day to South Africa to continue his holiday.

He took the opportunity according to aides, to have a normal check-up and treatment for his sinuses.

“I can confirm to you that the old man will be back at the end of the month to meet his team and immediately after launch into his campaign” says an aide. Mills’ campaign is expected to kick off before the end of August.

He faces competition from his friend Edward Annan, a business executive, his former campaign communications chief Ekwow Spio Garbrah, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu and lately hardworking Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin.

While he remains the most marketed face and personality among all the names, those campaigning against him say with a clear strategy all the candidates can be marketed to attract the 50 + 1 votes required to win the general elections.

A Mills aide told daily Express that it is a major plus for former Vice President. “He is not only the most marketable, but he enjoys the highest name and face recognition among the lot and also benefits from the perception among the party people that he has always been present and available at the naming ceremonies, funerals and at the demonstrations.”

He however agrees that Professor Mills has to be a bit more assertive and forceful.