President John Atta Mills of Ghana dies at 68

GHANA - President John Atta Mills is dead. The 68 year-old leader died on Tuesday a few hours after he fell ill, say news reports from the president's office in Ghana.

A statement said, "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president of the republic of Ghana who had travelled recently abroad for a medical check-up. He died a few hours after he got sick in a hospital in the capital Accra. "

Vice President John Dramani Mahama is to take over as interim leader in accordance with the constitution.

Late Professor Atta

With his wife

Meeting the Browns

A bill board welcoming President Obama

With President Jonathan of Nigeria

Bereaved: Wife, Ernestina

Handshake: President Obama firdt visit to West Africa

 

Mills took over as Ghana's president in January 2009. After narrowly winning during the 2008 election with less than one percent margin against Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mills was nominated by his party to be the ruling party's (National Democratic Congress) presidential candidate for December 2012 elections. He beat his only rival - Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, the wife of ex-military leader Jerry Rawlingsin the party primary.

Mills became the vice president of Ghana in 1997 when Rawlings nominated him. He studied law in Ghana and completed his post graduate studies in Britain before going home to teach law for 25 years at the  university in Ghana.

Under his leadership Ghana, a country of 24 million people has risen to global prominence. The country has enjoyed more stability and peace than most countires in West Africa. Recently, oil in large quanties was discovered in Ghana making it one of the wealthiest countries in Africa.

Th Life of Professor Atta Mills

H. E. Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the former President of the Republic of Ghana was born at Tarkwa on July 21st, 1944. He hails from Ekumfi Otuam in the Central Region. Prof. Mills launched a lifelong learning at Achimota Secondary School, where he completed the Advanced Level Certificate in 1963. To further his education, he attended the University of Ghana, Legon where he received a Bachelor’s Degree and Professional Certificate in Law (1967). While earning the PhD in Oriental and African Studies from the University of London at the age of 27, Dr. Mills was selected as a Fulbright Scholar at Stanford Law School (USA). Prof. Mills’ first formal teaching assignment was as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Legon. He spent more than twenty five years imparting acquired knowledge to students, and rose in position from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor. His contribution to the University was remarkable having served on numerous Boards, Committees, and Schemes. Also during those twenty five years, Prof. Mills travelled as a Visiting Lecturer and Professor to Temple University (USA) and Leiden University (Holland), and presented research papers at Symposiums and Conferences throughout the world. Prof. Mills has more than one dozen publications to his credit. These include: Taxation of Periodical or Deferred Payments arising from the Sale of Fixed Capital (1974) Exemption of Dividends from Income Taxation: A critical Appraisal (1977) Report of the Tax Review Commission, Ghana, Parts 1, 2 & 3, (1977) and Ghana’s Income Tax laws and the Investor. An inter-faculty lecture published by the University of Ghana. His expertise goes well beyond the classroom, and is evidenced by the various examiner positions he held with finance related institutions throughout Ghana (i.e. Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Bankers, Ghana Tax Review Commission). As an advocate for recreation, active sportsman and sports fan, Prof. Mills has supported the community through groups such as the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sports Council of Ghana, and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.  The following are a few of his activities and projects: Member of the Ghana Stock Exchange Council Board of Trustees, Mines Trust. Management Committee of Commonwealth Administration of Tax Experts. United Nations Ad Hoc Group of Experts in International Cooperation in Tax Matters 7 United Nations Law and Population Project. Study on Equipment Leasing in Ghana. Casebook preparation on Ghana’s Income Tax. Review of Ghana’s Double Tax Agreement with the UK. A track record of financial knowledge and strong professional credentials led to several important appointments. In 1988, Prof. J. E. Atta Mills became the Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service of Ghana and named Commissioner in September 1996. On January 3, 2009, Prof. Mills was declared by the Electoral Commission as the President-elect of Ghana after a second presidential run-off of 2008 the Presidential Elections. Prof. Mills was sworn into office as Executive President of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday January 7, 2009. He is married to Ernestina Naadu, an educationist. He is survived by a son.
Now, more than ever do we need inspiring leaders like this in Africa. May his soul rest in peace.