How Mahama Fondly Remembers Atta Mills
President John Dramani Mahama has shared fond memories he hold about his former boss, Prof John Evan Atta Mills who passed on 13 years ago and five months before ending his tenure as the third President of Ghana in the Fourth Republic.
He remembers him for his “voice of reason, restraint, and hope”.
According to him, Atta Mills was a rare breed of leader.
“In the often-turbulent world of politics, he was a calm in the storm—a voice of reason, restraint, and hope. His was never the politics of insults or vengeance, but consistently one of service, compassion, and reconciliation.”
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For many of us, the void he left on July 24, 2012, remains deeply felt, a testament to his profound impact on our nation and our hearts.
This annual moment of reflection is more than just a ceremony; it is a national duty to remember the guiding values of the man we honour—humility, integrity, discipline, and above all, peace.
Professor John Evans Atta Mills was, indeed, a rare breed of leader. In the often-turbulent world of politics, he was a calm in the storm—a voice of reason, restraint, and hope. His was never the politics of insults or vengeance, but consistently one of service, compassion, and reconciliation.
I recall vividly how, even in the face of provocation, he responded with grace, holding steadfast 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.
As his Vice President, I had the privilege of witnessing these values in action daily. I saw his tireless efforts to extend opportunity to every Ghanaian, his deep concern for the most vulnerable. He believed that leadership should be lived, not performed, governing with a profound moral compass that always placed truth over expedience, people over politics, and country over self.
To truly honour his memory, it is not enough to lay wreaths or sing his praises. The greatest tribute we can give Professor Mills is to carry forward his values—reviving the spirit of ethical leadership, justice, and accountability that he embodied. His life reminds us of the power of stillness, the strength in gentleness, and the lasting force of quiet conviction.
To the family of President Mills, we continue to share in your grief and honour your strength. To the people of Ghana, let us recommit to building the united, value-driven, and peaceful Ghana he envisioned.
And to Professor Mills—our father, our leader, our teacher—rest well. You are gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. Your work lives on in us, and your legacy continues to light our path. May your soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
