Ghanaians hold memorial service for late President Mills

mills

Accra, July 25, GNA - A remembrance service was on Thursday held at the Asomdwie Park in Accra in memory of President John Evans Atta Mills.

The solemn service was attended by President John Mahama, Vice-President Kwesi Amissah Arthur and his wife Matilda, former President Jerry John Rawlings, Ministers of State, the clergy, chiefs and traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, party officials of the National Democratic Congress and a cross section of the public.

As early as 7am amidst rain showers, sympathizers clad in white and black funeral clothes, embossed with portraits of the late President, started trooping the Asomdwie Park to observe the ceremony.

Six wreaths were laid in memory of the late President.

President Mahama laid a wreath on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, followed by the widow, Dr Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills.

Dr Cadman Mills, a brother of the departed statesman, laid one on behalf of the family, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah for the NDC, Mr. Daniel Ohene Agyekum for the friends of the late President, and Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona the sixth, the Osu Mantse, laid one on behalf of the people of Osu.

The Rev Dr Nii Amoo Darku, who preached the sermon, described the late President as a person '' who loved God and his country.''

''President Mills demonstrated his love for God and country, not by mere words, but by his deeds and actions,'' he said.

Rev Dr Darku said the late President was not shy to    publicly proclaim his faith in God, and even at a point declared that ''God was the ruler of the country.''

He said President Mills was named ''Asomdwiehene'' for his penchant for peace and the need to unite the country, despite ''our different cultural backgrounds and political differences.''

Rev Dr Darku said the late President was vilified and insulted, but never took revenge, although he had power to do that.

He entreated the citizenry to emulate the traits and selfless attitude of President Mills, to accelerate the development of the country.

President Mills died on July 24, 2012 as the first Ghanaian President to have died in office before the completion of his tenure of office.

His death attracted public sympathy from the Ghanaian political divide and beyond, and will continue to serve as the bitterest pill that Ghanaians had had to swallow.

GNA