Chief Justice Theodora Georgina Wood last night administered oath of office on Ghana’s new president John Dramani Mahama, this became imperative after the unexpected death of John Atta Mills who died from throat cancer related complication in a hospital at Accra.
Mahama who is the country’s vice-president as now assumed a role thrust on him by the constitution. He will lead the cocoa rich West African country for the till December, when new election will held.
The new helmsman is a 53-year-old writer and historian.
Mean while ,President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday condoled with the government and people of Ghana over the death of their president, John Atta Mills.
In a press statement signed by the Special Adviser to the president of Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, Mr Jonathan said he “received with shock and immense sadness news of the sudden death of President John Atta Mills of Ghana.”
The statement said that Mr Jonathan on behalf of himself, the government and people of Nigeria, “extends sincere condolences to late President Mill’s family as well as the government and people of Ghana.
“The President assures the people of Ghana of the sympathy and solidarity of the people of Nigeria as they mourn late President Mills who did his best during his tenure to carry forward the process of democratic consolidation and socio-economic development in Ghana.”
Mr Jonathan said that he expects that “the excellent relationship which existed between Nigeria and Ghana during President Mill’s tenure will continue to be strengthened under the new leadership in Ghana in the mutual interest of both countries.”
Naijalog report
HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
(HCIF-PFS)
Public Release Statement 25 July, 2012.
Subject: “CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE DEATH OF ANOTHER OSAGYFO AND PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, H.E. PROFESSORNJOHN ATTA MILLS”.
It is with great shock and sadness that we, at the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) have learnt of the sudden and untimely passing away of another “Osagyfo” and President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor John Atta Mills.
The extraordinary light that shone in the West African state of Ghana for almost 68 years has been extinguished; the life of the greatest gem on the African soil has been eclipsed by sudden illness and death, but his legacy lives on. Professor Atta Mills was among those great African leaders who displayed true visionary leadership. He contributed enormously to the transformation of Ghana and was a champion of democracy at home and on the African continent. His passing away is not just a grievous loss to the Hugo Chavez International Foundation. It will leave also a particularly broad void in the ranks of world class leadership among the Anglophone nations, as well as the rest of the African continent and the diaspora.
Professor Mills was an inspiration for those who dared to dream that a new African personality and dignity could be created without indulging in immoral behaviours in public and national life. More than that, Atta Mills was a born leader, a tireless fighter for peace and social justice for Africa and the developing world. We count it a privilege to have known him and to have been his friend.
By his untimely death, Africa has lost one of the finest leaders ever to realize the vision bequeathed to Africans by Osagyfo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah-“One Unified Africa, One People and One Destiny”.
We join millions of Africans everywhere in paying our respects to this great gem of Africa, as well as expressing our sympathy to the First Lady, Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills and the rest of Ghana’s first family at this very sad time. No words of mouth will ever describe our sense of loss and sadness as we bid Professor Atta Mills far well.
Once in a while, history provides a people, with a leader who is truly outstanding, and undoubtedly Professor John Atta Mills was such a leader. What placed him high above others was that special ability to understand the central contradiction of the times, to grasp the most critical question of the day and able to articulate them in a simple and understandable way. He was able, thus, to inspire and lead the masses into struggle. Professor Mills has repeatedly demonstrated this quality and it was this, among others that endeared him to his people and sustained his popularity among the masses for eight years as Vice-President (1996-2000) and President, and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Ghana (2008-2012).
The late Professor John Atta Mills will be missed dearly forever. And, may almighty Infinite God rests his life in eternal peace!
Sender:
Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
International Executive Director.