We Didn’t Exhume Atta Mills Grave; CODA

The Coastal Development Authority (CODA) has dispelled claims that the remains of the late and former President of Ghana, John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, were exhumed from its grave at Asomdwee Park during the renovation works on the tomb.

CODA says it constructed a concrete shed and replaced the alucobond panel over the tomb with porcelain tile, however, the grave was not opened.

“We wish to state that the grave was not opened and therefore no desecration of the body of the former president, H.E. John Evans Atta Mills has taken place”.

This comes on the back of claims by the younger brother of Atta Mills, Samuel Atta Mills that the body of the late president has been exhumed from the grave following the renovation.

Addressing the press in Parliament on July 19, 2022, Samuel called out the Coastal Development Authority and the Atta Mills Institute, an NGO headed by Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a former aide to Atta Mills and an advocate for the renovation of the Asomdwee Park.

He said, “Apparently, a group calling itself Atta Mills Institute that the family does not recognise and Coastal Development Authority have gone to break this grave of President John Evans Atta Mills, they have removed the tomb…claiming they are rebuilding it.

“My questions are…we have traditions…why will you go and touch somebody’s grave without informing the family? Now that you’ve gone to touch it, is the body still in that grave? What did you put in that grave? What kind of rituals did you perform over there? Why will you go and touch the grave without informing us? Who has the body now?… Coastal Development Authority under whose authority did you do this? Why do you always want the family to go through grief every time?… Why will the government allow this to happen?”

Koku Anyidoho in reacting to the comments of the brother of the late president said Samuel was playing politics.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini