I had returned from a wonderful learning working hours to
the office, where a friend who had his workplace near the headquarters of the
National Democratic Congress (NDC, the ruling party) in Accra, phoned me that
the President of the country is dead.
With extreme astonishment, I exhibited my skeptical attitude
towards the information from my friend. I then told her, she was not lying but I
would like to enquire from other sources to confirm.
Immediately, I run to the washroom. After urinating and I
was about to wash my hands, I heard my phone vibrating and it was my elder
sister Sharon calling. I picked it and in a hesitant voice, she told me that, “the
President was dead and I should be careful on my way back home”.
I rushed to the common room to inform my colleagues about
the confirmation from my sister. Immediately, another colleague called her dad
and it was confirmed again.
Instantly, the mood of my colleagues and mine were changed.
The radio was switched on and all we heard was the presenter
reiterating the sadden death of H.E. the President of Ghana, John Evans Atta
Mills (1944-2012).
The late President celebrated his birthday 3days ago
(21/07/12), returned from a medical check-up 2 weeks ago, 5 months to elections
for him to complete his first term of office and the inevitable death angel
came knocking on his door today, 24th July, 2012 around 14 – 15 hours
GMT at the 37 Military Hospital.
The late H.E. President J. E. Atta Mills was defeated two
consecutive times in his quest of becoming the 3rd President of the
4th republic, but won on the third account and was sworn into office
on 7th January, 2009.
He was a professor of law, a lecturer for 25 years, a
sportsman, a tax expert, a scholar, a peace ambassador and a true leader, who
had the welfare and concerns of his citizens at heart.
The country is really left in state of anguish and mourning
for a big tree has indeed fallen. Every citizen is sympathizing and you could
read from every citizen’s mood that, when the leader of a nation and an
institution is absent, it leaves the followers disheartened, perplexed and
uncomforted.
This is a gargantuan and unprecedented loss to the nation of
Ghana. It’s historic in Ghana’s history for a sitting President to depart from
the land of the living.
It is also sad and pathetic to hear some citizens making
partisan remarks concerning the death of the president. He was even pronounced
dead prior to his actual death, this was when he went out on a routine check up
in the United States about 2 weeks ago. This man has received a whole lot of
accusations, nonconstructive criticisms, mockery and negative pronouncements from
the citizenry and other astute personalities in the country.
No matter which kind of person you are on this land called
earth, you will not live forever, so let’s always appreciate the fact that it
not by our might but the grace. This is indeed a blow to me at this time of my
life. We pray that may his soul find a peaceful rest.
And to we Ghanaians, this wake up call, for the sense of
nationalism and patriotism to rain in our hearts and sink into our souls. Lets now
think GHANA FIRST and any other thing last.
I take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to
the family of the late H.E. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. We share the grief
with you, our mother of the nation, Ernestina Naadu Mills. Be consoled and be strong,
we can’t understand, for there is a divine interpretation. DAMARIFA DUE Atta
Mills!!
May bless the newly
sworn in President H.E John Mahama May God bless mother Ghana. Amen!
Thank you!
