Accra, Ghana – Thirteen years after his passing, the legacy of former President John Evans Atta Mills continues to resonate deeply within the nation, as remembered by President John Dramani Mahama. Speaking at an annual commemorative event, President Mahama underscored the enduring impact of Professor Mills, describing the occasion as a “national duty” to reflect on the values he championed: humility, integrity, discipline, and peace.
President Mahama hailed Professor Mills as a “rare breed of leader” who brought “calm in the storm” to the often-turbulent political landscape. He emphasized Mills’ commitment to a politics of service, compassion, and reconciliation, noting that even in the face of provocation, he responded with grace and held fast to his principles. “He never allowed power to change who he was; he remained, until his final breath, a servant of the people—a man of peace, a man of God, and a man of Ghana,” Mahama stated.
Recalling his time as Vice President, Mahama spoke of witnessing Mills’ tireless efforts to extend opportunity to all Ghanaians and his deep concern for the vulnerable. He highlighted Mills’ belief that “leadership should be lived, not performed,” and that governance should be guided by a profound moral compass, prioritizing truth, people, and country above all else.
President Mahama urged Ghanaians to move beyond mere ceremonies, asserting that the greatest tribute to Professor Mills is to embody his values, thereby reviving the spirit of ethical leadership, justice, and accountability he personified. He concluded by reaffirming solidarity with the Mills family and calling on Ghanaians to recommit to building the united, value-driven, and peaceful Ghana that Professor Mills envisioned. “Your work lives on in us, and your legacy continues to light our path,” Mahama said, bidding his former mentor to “rest well.”
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
