R.I.P Prof. John Evans Atta Mills

Early Life

Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills was born on 21^st July 1944 in Tarkwa in the western region of Ghana, then Gold Coast. He completed his Advanced-Level certificate in 1963 at Achimota School. In 1967 he completed his law degree at the University of Ghana, Legon. Atta Mills also studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science and earned a PhD in law at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

Family

He is married to Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, an educator, and had a son, Sam Kofi Atta Mills.

Politics (major)

He served his nation as the vice president from 7^th January 1997 – 7^th January 2012 under President Jerry John Rawlings but was unsuccessful in the 2000 and 2008 parliamentary and presidential elections as the presidential candidate of the NDC (National Democratic Congress), losing both elections to President John Agyekum Kuffour of the NPP (New Patriotic Party).

Prof. Mills was sworn in as president of the republic of Ghana on 7^th January 2009, having defeated the ruling party’s candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 parliamentary and presidential election. He was nick-named ‘Asumdyiehene’ meaning ‘The King of Peace’ for his pronounce dedication and commitment to the peace and unity of Ghana.

Illness and death

Prof. Mills passed on at 04:15pm on 24^th July 2012 at the 37-Military hospital in Accra, just three days after his 68^th birthday. Though the cause of death was not immediately released, he had been suffering from throat cancer and had recently been to the U.S for medical reasons which he returned a few weeks before his passing on.

This came as a shock to many Ghanaians and the rest of the world who have interest in the politics and affairs of the peaceful and loving nation located in the western part of Africa.

He is the first Ghanaian head of state to die in office. Ghana indeed has lost a great son and to the citizens a father, brother and an uncle. Uncle Atta, Asumdyiehene may your soul rest in perfect peace.

Below is a press release from the Office of the President about his untimely death.

Current National Anthem

First Stanza

God bless our homeland Ghana

And make our nation great and strong,
Bold to defend forever
The cause of Freedom and of Right;
Fill our hearts with true humility,
Make us cherish fearless honesty,
And help us to resist oppressors' rule

With all our will and might for evermore.

Second stanza

Hail to thy name, O Ghana,

To thee we make our solemn vow:
Steadfast to build together
A nation strong in Unity;
With our gifts of mind and strength of arm,
Whether night or day, in the midst of storm,
In every need, whatever the call may be,

To serve thee, Ghana, now and evermore.

Third stanza

Raise high the flag of Ghana

and one with Africa advance;
Black star of hope and honour
To all who thirst for liberty;
Where the banner of Ghana freely flies,
May the way to freedom truly lie;
Arise, arise, O sons of Ghana land,

And under God march on for evermore!