Press statement by ActionAid Ghana on the loss of H. E. John E. A. Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana.

The Board of Trustees, Management and staff of ActionAid Ghana have learnt with shock the passing unto glory of President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday in the afternoon.

On behalf of the ActionAid federation, we convey our deepest sympathies to the people of Ghana, the friends, family, and loved ones of President John Evans Atta Mills.

The ActionAid federation would remember the former President as a strong human rights advocate who made a significant contribution to Ghana's democracy and development.

Fresh in our memories is the recent call by the late President Atta Mills at the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations for conscious efforts by the global community to address gender stereotypes to advance human development, when he said:

“It is critical as members of the global community, to break the gender stereotypes which are the root causes of the myriad of gender inequality challenges currently facing most countries. Ghana remains focused in addressing gender imbalances and misconceptions as well as improving the living conditions of its women and girls, bearing in mind that solving the gender issue would ultimately ensure the attainment of the majority of the Millennium Development Goals.”

We call on all Ghanaians to remain united and focused even as we mourn the late President.

Issued by ActionAid Ghana on Wednesday, July 25, 2012