A Tribute To Prof. John Evans Atta Mills

On that student mattress I sat that fateful Tuesday afternoon as I took in my ‘gashit’. Obviously the rice and groundnut soup served us in the dining hall that afternoon was not enough.

As I hurriedly ate, news came in that the sitting President, Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills had passed away.

“Boys never go shun dey fool” and “These media houses and their misreporting sometimes” were the words that came out of my mouth. However, upon second thought after I had sighed, I wondered if they could really play this game on the first gentleman of the land.

Later in the evening, an official statement was released from the then seat of government, the Osu Castle that indeed the president had kicked the bucket.

The whole nation was silenced and shock together with grief gripped our dear nation. Death had done its thing again.

Atta Mills as he was affectionately called and all will agree with me that this man was a very God fearing, humane and humble person. He was a man of peace so Ghanaians named him the ‘Asomdwehene’.

This was a man who offered ‘lifts’ to his students after lectures had closed as a Lecturer at the University of Ghana Law School.

This very same man ordered that a young man who was behind cells for insulting him be set free.

Late President Mills at one function upon noticing that a boy had his movements vehemently restricted by security personnel asked why and upon noticing that this boy wanted to meet him allowed him unto the dais, gave him a Presidential handshake and spoke to him.

This was again a man whom upon despite calls made to him to challenge the 2004 Presidential Elections announcing the National Patriotic Party Presidential candidate, Former President John Agyekum Kufuor as winner due to alleged mass vote rigging ignored their calls, called President Kufuor to congratulate him and wish him well just to avoid disturbance of national peace.

Many were the fears of people that his leadership would be marred by mass corruption but under his leadership, Ghana at a point had the fastest growing economy in the world according to statistics among many other notable achievements.

He is widely remembered for his preamble before making any public statement, “My brothers and sisters” and his soft voice made it more pleasant to the ears.

His selflessness won him the admiration of many including his political opponents.

The last words of this epitome of a true Christian Gentleman as reported were “Peace I leave with my nation Ghana.”

Even at the point of death, he was not thinking of himself but his dear nation. As I write to eulogise the late Prof. J.E.A Mills, I want to ask you; “What would you be remembered for?” Let your death leave a legacy and a void that can never be filled.

Never say tomorrow because to-morrow’s sun might never shine upon you. The choice is still ours to make. Lest I forget to tell you the day, 24th July, 2012 it was.