President of Ghana dies
John Evans Atta Mills
July 24th, 2012
01:06 PM ET

President of Ghana dies

The president of the West African nation of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, has died, the president's chief of staff said in a statement Tuesday.

He died at a military hospital Tuesday afternoon, the statement said.

Mills was a former law professor and served as Ghana's vice president from 1997 to 2000. He ran for president unsuccessfully in 2000 and 2004 before winning the election in 2009.

U.S. President Barack Obama met with Mills when he visited Ghana in July 2009. Obama praised Ghana as a model for democracy and stability when Mills visited Washington this year.

"Ghana has become a wonderful success story economically on the continent," Obama said. "In part because of the initiatives of President Mills, you've seen high growth rates over the last several years. Food productivity and food security is up. There's been strong foreign investment."

Part of a former British colony, Ghana was among the first African countries to gain its independence, in 1957. It endured a series of coups before a military dictator, Jerry Rawlings, took power in 1981. Rawlings led Ghana through the transition to democracy about 10 years later.

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soundoff (42 Responses)
  1. Bortey Nii Ebenezer

    We Ghanaians have really lost a great leader and a father of peace who always preach the advocate of peace, MAY THE GOOD LORD GRANT HIM PEACE IN HIS BOSSOM OF HIS KINDOM.

    July 25, 2012 at 3:25 am | Report abuse |
  2. Nana Akua

    This came as a very shocking news to me. My heart is heavy and really saddened by the death of our dear president. He was such a gentleman and very peaceful. I am sure that he is with Jesus in heaven. RIP Prof Mills; you are such an example to emulate and we will miss you very much!!!

    July 25, 2012 at 5:16 am | Report abuse |
  3. GODWIN K FIANU

    Prof died at 37 military hospital, on
    24th July(7) therefore
    37 24 7=68 RIP

    July 25, 2012 at 6:27 am | Report abuse |
  4. GODWIN K FIANU

    While you are alive, people would
    never see the importance of you
    nor cherish you for who you are.
    They will make mockery of you
    even when you are sick –
    misinterpret what you say and
    call you good for nothing.The
    words from your mouth would be
    deliberately deemed as filth and
    nonsense. You will cease to be
    real in their sight and your
    legitimacy will be described as
    useless.You will be betrayed by
    your own friends to your enemies
    yet just when these same people
    hear that you are dead, it is
    there that they would sing all kind
    of praises and call you the best
    person they ever met so why
    worry when you know no
    condition would last for ever?
    Rest In Peace His Excellency John
    Evans Kofi Attah Mills. Today you
    are gone now listen to the
    Praises of those who genuinely
    love you and those hypocrites.We
    are all guilty. GODWIN K FIANU

    July 25, 2012 at 6:38 am | Report abuse |
  5. Brian Sedeya

    I remember his visit to The Synagogue Church Of All Nations. That was a wise decision.

    July 25, 2012 at 3:05 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Emmanuel Appiah-Akwante

    A mighty tree has indeed fallen.
    Prof. J. E. A. Mills you will forever be remembered for your gentleness and humbleness approach to duty. Your demise has created a huge vacuum in our political front.
    May your soul rest in perfect peace.
    Prof. Damirifa Due-Due ne amanehunu!

    July 27, 2012 at 3:26 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Emmanuel Appiah-Akwante

    Prof. Mills you will be forever remembered for your gentle and humble approach to duty.
    Your sudden demise has put fear in me for I never thought Ghana would experience such a thing.
    Prof. May your soul rest in perfect peace.
    Damirifa Due-Due ne Amanehunu!

    July 28, 2012 at 5:35 am | Report abuse |
  8. DIMNWANNE JUDE EJIKE

    His excellency,i know you could have bought life with money if it was possible to,but because life has no duplicate nor spares, you are gone.you were powerful yet humble down to Earth.rich and wealthy yet died like the poor.rest in peace while waiting for us up there.with love!

    August 4, 2012 at 11:56 am | Report abuse |
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