The Extraordinary trailblazer
PROFESSOR JOHN EVANS ATTAH MILLS
Politician, Lecturer
"My unshakeable
resolve as a young, idealistic lecturer then was to teach until my compulsory
retirement. But even though my lofty dreams did not materialize, and I
sometimes ask myself whether this excursion outside the Ivory Tower was worth
the effort, I am nevertheless always grateful to God and also the good people
of Ghana for the rare opportunity they offered me to serve my dear nation. As
to whether I made the best possible use of this opportunity, I shall not
attempt an answer; I shall leave the judgment to the historians and
posterity."
Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Source: attamills.org
Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Source: attamills.org
Personal information
Born on July 21, 1944 at Tarkwa
in the Eastern region, Professor John Evans Attah Mills hails from Ekumfi Otuam
in the Central region of Ghana. Married Ernestina Naadu Mills, an educator and
has a son, Kofi Sam Attah Mills.
Education: BA, PhD, Law, Economics and Taxation. Studied at
the University of Ghana, London school of Economics and Political science,
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Stanford Law School.
Religion: A Christian. Raised Methodist, worshipped in an
interdenominational church and a friend of Prophet T.B. Joshua. Tolerated other
religions and worked well with them.
Memberships: Member
of the Ghana Stock Exchange Council Board of Trustees, Mines Trust
Management Committee, Commonwealth Administration of Tax Experts, United
Nations Ad Hoc Group of Experts in International Cooperation in Tax Matters,
and United Nations Law and Population Project as well as a member of the Veterans Hockey Team
Career:
Lecturer (University of Ghana and a visiting professor in a number of Universities
worldwide), Acting Commissioner and Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service
1988 – 1996, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana 1997 – 2001. He was the Presidential
candidate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2000 – 2008
and President of Ghana from January 2009 – July 2012.
Life
and work: Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills was often called ‘the
Prof’ long before he became a professor because of his exceptional academic
credentials. He was born to madam Mercy Dawson Atta Mills and Mr. John Evans
Atta Mills Senior on July 21st, 1944, at Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana
and hails from Ekumfi Otuam, a small fishing community which never dreamt of
being as famous as to produce a president for the republic of Ghana. This town
can be found in the Mfantsiman East Constituency of the Central Region.
Young Atta Mills launched a lifelong
interest in acquiring knowledge at Achimota Secondary School, where he obtained
his General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level in 1963. Right from
the onset, the prof exhibited his prowess in sporting activities such as
football and hockey. His mates back in school today readily attest to the fact
that he was a very good sportsman. This notwithstanding, he was also an
exceptionally brilliant student who worked to the admiration of both teachers
and his fellow mates.
He attended the University of Ghana,
Legon, where he received a bachelor's degree and professional certificate in
Law (1967). Here too, the prof was not only engrossed in his books but again
engaged in sporting activities, playing football with the likes of Nana Addo
Danquah Akuffo Addo who was his mate at the University of Ghana. This earned
him the nickname – ‘Millsoo’. While
earning a PhD in Law from the prestigious School of Oriental and African
Studies (SOAS) in London, John Evans Atta Mills was selected as a Fulbright
scholar at the equally prestigious Stanford Law School in the United States of
America. At the fledgling age of 27, he was awarded his PhD after successfully
defending his doctoral thesis in the area of taxation and economic development.
Prof. Mills' first formal teaching
assignment was as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana,
Legon where he spent close to twenty five (25) years imparting acquired knowledge.
He is reputed to sometimes go to class without any reference book but could
teach to the understanding of the dullest student and had answers all questions
thrown at him. The prof really had all the ideas in his brains. Most of his
students today attest to the fact that “the Prof” was one of their very best
teachers of all times. He also lectured
at other institutions of higher learning such as Temple Law School (Philadelphia, USA), with two stints from 1978 to
1979, and 1986 to 1987, Leiden University (Holland) from 1985 to 1986.
During
this period, he authored several publications relating to taxation in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of this
numerous and ever educative publications include: A
Study on Equipment Leasing in Ghana and a Casebook preparation on Ghana's
Income Tax Review of Ghana's Double Tax Agreement with the U.K, 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). These publications were of immense benefit to his
students, fellow lecturers and our country- Ghana as a whole.
Professor John Evans Atta Mill was
really a man of many sides. 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 and an active sportsman and sports fan, Professor Mills has supported the academic community and the nation at large through his contribution to the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sports Council of Ghana, and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.
The Law Professor loves sports and he is a keen hockey player and once played for the national team and is still member of the Veterans Hockey Team. He equally keeps his body in shape by swimming, spending close to two hours every day when he has time. The prof is an academician, sportsman and an astute politician.
As an advocate for recreation and an active sportsman and sports fan, Professor Mills has supported the academic community and the nation at large through his contribution to the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sports Council of Ghana, and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.
The Law Professor loves sports and he is a keen hockey player and once played for the national team and is still member of the Veterans Hockey Team. He equally keeps his body in shape by swimming, spending close to two hours every day when he has time. The prof is an academician, sportsman and an astute politician.
Appointments:
Just
as the rainbow, professor Mills was a man of many bright colours who shone
exceedingly in all his endeavours. His deeds, speech, persona, thoughts and
intentions were uniquely remarkable and unmatched.
Surely, a man of such great dynamism
and potentials could not go unnoticed. A track record of financial knowledge
and strong professional credentials therefore led to several important
appointments:
In 1988, John Evans Atta Mills became
the acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service of Ghana. As an acting
commissioner, Mills executed his duty well and brought to bear his knowledge
and expertise in issues relating to economic and taxation. The prof caught the
eyes of his superiors to make him the substantive commissioner in 1996. The
government of the former president Jerry John Rawlings and the good people of
Ghana never regretted making him the Commissioner of such a great and an
all-important outfit – Internal Revenue Service now Ghana Revenue Authority.
In 1997, Prof. Mills received another
important appointment when on January 7, 1997, he was sworn-in as the Vice President
of the Republic of Ghana. Until then, the prof had not tasted the full vagaries
of the politics of Ghana. He was preceded by Kow Nkensen Arkaah. He played his
role very well to the admiration of both the then president, J.J. Rawlings, the
supporters of the NDC and the people of Ghana. “Professor Mills was an outstanding Vice-President, gifted with an
excellent retentive memory and served his role with full merit. He had an excellent sense of punctuality,
which can best be described as non-Ghanaian. Having won my respect and
admiration, there was no hesitation when I had to nominate him as Presidential
candidate for the NDC.” These were the words of former president J.J. Rawlings
in his tribute to the prof during the state burial. The prof proved to be selfless,
hardworking, incorruptible and a man full of integrity. It was always extremely
difficult to find fault in him.
In
2000, Mills became the NDC's candidate for the 2000 presidential election after
Rawlings had served his constitutionally mandated terms as president. The main
rival for Mills' own bid for the presidency was John Agyekum Kufuor, who was
running as the candidate for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). In the
first round, held on 7 December 2000, Mills gained 44.8% of the vote, Kufuor
won the first round with 48.4%, thus forcing a second round. On 28 December
2000, Kufuor defeated Mills with 56.9% of the vote and was sworn in as president
on 7 January 2001. It was during this time that the term Better Ghana Agenda
was coined.
In 2002, Prof. Mills was a visiting
scholar at the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Affairs, University of
British Columbia, Canada. By dint of hard work, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills was
elected by his party – the National Democratic Congress in the same year,
December 2002 to be its flag bearer. However, Prof. Mills lost yet again to the
sitting president, His Excellency John Agyekum kufour. His desire to serve
Ghana never wavered until January 2009 when he was given the mandate to be
president of the Republic of Ghana.
The supporters of the NDC once again
reelected John Evans Atta Mills in December 2006 by an overwhelming 81.4%, making
him beat three other contestants, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Alhaji
Mahama Iddrisu, and Eddie Annan. This enabled him to
once again have the clout to lead his party into the 2008 general elections.
He campaigned on the theme “A better man for a better Ghana”. He also adopted
what came to be known as ‘door to door evangelism’ and promised Ghanaians that
he will be father for all when given the mandate to rule.
January 3rd 2009-Professor Mills
declared President-Elect in the 2008 elections. He had 4,521,032 votes
representing 50.32 % beating his rival Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the
ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) who had 4,480,446 votes representing 49.77%.
In January 7th, 2009, Professor Mills
was sworn in as the Third President of the Republic of Ghana.
Qualities: Professor
John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills is a man of high integrity, humble, a liberal
minded person who consults and peace as his watch-word. He is known in Ghana as
"Asomdweehene" which literally means the "King of Peace".
He is an academician, sportsman and an astute politician.
John Evans Atta Mills is the only person who has ran for President on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for three consecutive times in the history of the Party.
John Evans Atta Mills is the only person who has ran for President on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for three consecutive times in the history of the Party.
He won the Presidency on the third
attempt in the 2008 general elections. (December 7th & 28th, 2008 and
January 2nd, 2009 -28th December, 2008 and January 2nd 2009 elections
were Presidential run-offs) Professor
Mills who campaigned on "CHANGE" during the 2008 elections has more
than a dozen publications to his credit.
The following are a few of his
activities and projects:
- Member of the Ghana Stock Exchange Council
- Board of Trustees, Mines Trust
- Management Committee Member of Commonwealth Administration of Tax Experts, United Nations Ad Hoc Group of Experts in International Cooperation in Tax Matters, and United Nations Law and Population Project
- A Study on Equipment Leasing in Ghana
- Casebook preparation on Ghana's Income Tax Review of Ghana's Double Tax Agreement with the U.K
Presidency
Amongst
his accomplishments as president was presiding over and initiating Ghana's
first ever oil production. He was also credited for other economic growth in
the country during his tenure. Many basic schools were built during his term of
office, hospitals and road networks were constructed to ease the movement of
goods from the hinterlands to the major cities. A few months prior to his death, he was
praised by U.S. President Barack Obama for making Ghana a "good news
story" that had good democratic credentials. He also fostered economic
ties with China. He was also the first incumbent president to be
re-nominated for an election for his party via a primary.
He
was a good friend to T. B. Joshua, Prophet of The Synagogue, Church Of All
Nations in Lagos, Nigeria and regularly visited his church. He said, following
his inauguration that Joshua had prophesied that it would take him three
elections to win the presidency and that the result would be released in
January.
The
prof practiced a very different kind of politics that was alien to Ghana. He
really proved to be the father for all. His
deeds and utterances made him a rare gem and difficult to fathom. He moved away
from the politics of rancour, acrimony, animosity, nepotism, vendetta,
witch-hunting and many other divisive tendencies.
The
way and manner he steered the presidency was phenomenal and mind-boggling. He
replaced opulence, flamboyance and extravagance which are religiously adhered
to by most African presidents with modesty and moderation. He never had an
acquisitive mind. He eschewed graft, greed, avarice, cupidity and corruption
which are generally high in political circles. The qualities the president
brought to the presidency are unsurpassed in the history of any leader in the
country. Many a time, one wondered and stared open-mouthed at the ineffable
disposition of the president.
No
sitting president had ever suffered the kind of criticism, insult and contempt
that the president endured. Not only did he endure obnoxious criticism from his
political opponents – some of whom he taught, but also from his own political
party. He found himself in an unfortunate atmosphere where “just anybody” could
open their mouth and say horrendous things about and against him and go scot
free. He endured unconstructive criticism from the rich, poor, literate,
illiterate, young, old, influential and ineffectual. It was therefore not
surprising when after his death a high-ranking personality in the country said
‘the president suffered from the cancer of insults’.
His
immense love for sports made him contribute to the Ghana Hockey Association,
National Sports Council of Ghana and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club. He
enjoyed field hockey and swimming, and once played for the national hockey team
(he remained a member of the Veterans Hockey Team until his death). He was also
a board member of Hearts of Oak and an astute Manchester United fan.
Illness and
Death
Good
people they say do not live long. His Excellency Professor John Evans Atta
Mills died on 24 July 2012 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra three days
after his 68th birthday. Though the cause of death was not immediately
released, he had been suffering from throat cancer and had recently been to the
United States for medical reasons. His brother, Dr. Cadman Atta Mills also
stated during the burial service that he (John Atta Mills) had died from
massive stroke. Announcing his death, the office of the president
noted that he died hours after being taken ill but a presidential aide said
that he had complained of pains the day prior to his death.
According
to the BBC, his voice had degenerated in the previous few months. Former
minister Elizabeth Ohene said that as a result of previous false reports of his
death, she had not believed initial claims of his actual death. "For the
past three or four years there's been news he's been unwell and rumours of his
death — twice — and he appeared with grim humour to say they were exaggerated,
insisting he was well.
His
vice president John Dramani Mahama was sworn in at about 18:00 GMT on the same
day. In accordance with Ghana's constitution, Mahama's tenure will expire at
the same time Mills' was due to end, by the end of the year just prior to an
election in which he was due to run.
Vice-President
John Mahama said upon being inaugurated as president in parliament:
“This
is the saddest day in our nation's history. Tears have engulfed our nation and
we are deeply saddened and distraught. I never imagined that one day our nation
will be placed in such a difficult circumstance. I'm personally devastated,
I've lost a father, I've lost a friend, and I’ve lost a mentor and a senior
comrade. Ghana is united in grief at this time for our departed president”.
State Burial
From
the 8th–10th August, his body lay in state, where
Ghanaian government officials, civil society, the general public and
dignitaries such as Ivory Coast's Alassane Ouattara, Liberia's Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf and Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan paid their last respects. The body was then
taken by a military cortege from the State House parliamentary complex to
Independence Square for the funerary service which was attended by eighteen (18)
African Heads of State, five (5) Vice-Presidents, US Secretary of State,
Hillary Clinton and several international envoys.
In
all, there were sixty-four (64) foreign delegations represented at the funeral.
In addition to the over 50,000 people who gathered for the ceremony, his
funeral was also attended by Benin's Thomas Boni Yayi who said of Mills that he
was "passionate about peace in Africa and in the region," as well as
Togo's Faure Gnassingbe, who said "[Mills] was like a brother to me. I
will surely miss him”.
During
the ceremony, flyers with prayers for peace and 100 white doves were released
into the air, an allusion to the leadership style of the late Ghanaian leader.
After the funeral service, the casket together with the cortege was taken in a
procession through some principal streets of the Ghanaian capital, Accra. The
mortal remains of the late president was then laid to rest in a Park, next to
the Osu Castle (formerly known as Fort Christiansburg), a 17th century slave
fortress on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean's, Gulf of Guinea. The park where
the Presidential Mausoleum is located has been renamed Asomdwee (Peace) Park, a
reference to the peaceful and reserved nature of John Atta Mills.
During
the solemn burial ceremony, Mills was accorded full military honours including
a slow march/ parade by the Ghanaian Army, a 21-gun salute and a fly-past of
military planes as the coffin was being lowered into the grave. Wreaths were
laid by the president John Dramani Mahama, the former first lady- Dr. Ernestina
Naadu Mills among other personalities and bodies.
Tributes
from International Bodies and Personalities.
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ECOWAS URGES IMMORTALIZATION OF LATE PRESIDENT ATTAH MILLS’ LEGACY
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Obama Pays Tribute to the Late Pres. Atta-Mills
It
was with great regret that I learned of the passing of President John Evans
Atta Mills of Ghana. I will always remember my trip to Ghana in 2009, and the
hospitality that President Mills and the people of Ghana showed to me,
Michelle, Malia, Sasha and our entire delegation.
I
was also pleased to host President Mills in the Oval Office earlier this year.
President Mills tirelessly worked to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people.
He helped promote economic growth in Ghana in the midst of challenging global
circumstances and strengthened Ghana’s strong tradition of democracy. Under his
leadership, the United States and Ghana deepened our partnership in the
promotion of good governance and economic development.
He
was also a strong advocate for human rights and for the fair treatment of all
Ghanaians. On behalf of the American people, I would like to offer my deepest
condolences to the people of Ghana, and reaffirm the deep and enduring bonds
between our democracies that President Mills helped to strengthen.
Tribute from Former President Rawlings
Former
President Jerry John Rawlings on Friday paid tribute to the late President John
Evans Atta Mills as follows:
“My earliest
memory of John Evans Atta Mills was as a sportsman at Achimota School.
“The Prof,
as I preferred to call him, served in several institutional capacities during
my tenure as Head of State, close contact was renewed when he was nominated and
subsequently confirmed as Vice-President when the NDC won the December 1996
Presidential elections.
“Professor
Mills was an outstanding Vice-President, gifted with an excellent retentive
memory and served his role with full merit.
“He had an
excellent sense of punctuality, which can best be described as non-Ghanaian.
“Having won
my respect and admiration, there was no hesitation when I had to nominate him
as Presidential candidate for the NDC.
“Prof had
often presided over cabinet, as Vice-President, so I sought the opinions of the
ministers to confirm if they thought he was good enough to be President and the
response was overwhelming.
“Against
strong opposition, some from within the party, I stood by the Prof and gave him
full support after the electoral misfortunes of 2000 and 2004 because I was
convinced he had the capacity to be an excellent President, having excelled as
Vice-President.
“Prof, you
came into office with your dignity and integrity intact.
“I do recall
some of the night briefings you used to give me, especially after cabinet
meetings and how I insisted you stand your ground when a few errant appointees
attempted to test your integrity.
“A lot of
water has passed under the bridge since the hard fought electoral victory of
2008. While many may perceive my criticism of the Prof as ill conceived, I was
not going to look away while a man with such great potential was led astray
from the ideals that we fought for; from the ideals that the NDC stood for.
“We waged a
stout political campaign in 2008 and those who really cared for the Prof
deserved to speak the truth to help him succeed as President.
“My final
meeting with Prof before he passed away was on Thursday July 5 at the Castle.
“During our
meeting we expressed our mutual respect for each other as was always the case
and news of his departure on July 24 came with cold pain.
“Fare
thee well Prof. Damirifa Due.”
Poetry Tributes
Bright
Dzorgbese Lisa has treated us
thus;
It has led us among the sharps of the forest
Returning is not possible
And going forward is a great difficulty
The affairs of this world is like chameleon feaces into which we have step
When we clean it cannot go.
Indeed a great tree has fallen; Ghana has lost a humble servant, a master and a leader.
We mourn your death but we are not mourning as those who lose all hope for we take consolations from these words of Apostle Paul that; "if we live, we live for Christ and if we die we die for Christ".
We pray that God give you a befitting place of rest.
Asumdwehene Da yie!
H.E. Prof. Evans Atta Fiifi Mills Hede nyuie!!
Mr. President; May your soul rest in perfect peace!!!
It has led us among the sharps of the forest
Returning is not possible
And going forward is a great difficulty
The affairs of this world is like chameleon feaces into which we have step
When we clean it cannot go.
Indeed a great tree has fallen; Ghana has lost a humble servant, a master and a leader.
We mourn your death but we are not mourning as those who lose all hope for we take consolations from these words of Apostle Paul that; "if we live, we live for Christ and if we die we die for Christ".
We pray that God give you a befitting place of rest.
Asumdwehene Da yie!
H.E. Prof. Evans Atta Fiifi Mills Hede nyuie!!
Mr. President; May your soul rest in perfect peace!!!
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From: Kwesi Atta Sakyi
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Oh
Prof, who will your Better Ghana vision carry?
Some say you should have tarried
Are they playing God?
Your death has made many harried
Your fiery critics no longer can hold you in derision
We all mourn you in unison
Ghana and Ekumfi Otuam have lost a worthy son
A great man in death unites
Tributes pour in from right and left
Even your bitterest bashers are cowed
In death you stand so tall
In death you shamed them all
When the physical and political duels were hottest
You elected and bowed
Though it was not your wish
Death is inescapable path for a mortal
Christ our Lord and St Peter
Receive you at heaven’s portal
Some say you should have tarried
Are they playing God?
Your death has made many harried
Your fiery critics no longer can hold you in derision
We all mourn you in unison
Ghana and Ekumfi Otuam have lost a worthy son
A great man in death unites
Tributes pour in from right and left
Even your bitterest bashers are cowed
In death you stand so tall
In death you shamed them all
When the physical and political duels were hottest
You elected and bowed
Though it was not your wish
Death is inescapable path for a mortal
Christ our Lord and St Peter
Receive you at heaven’s portal
It is only when we lose what we have that its importance dawns on us. There were many times when I wondered what the prof was made of. To me, he was an extra ordinary man. Come to think of it, he hardly got angry, made a joke in the face of hatred and was not ashamed to acknowledge the fact that he wholly depended on God to direct the affairs of the nation. I dare say that the prof was a man of unquestionable character.
My tears continued to flow from the announcement of his death to the day he was buried.
After all is said and
done, each person who once walked on the surface of this earth will be
remembered for one thing or the other long after they are no more. I will remember the prof for being a man of unequaled integrity.
Ampa, Odupong bi etutu
Damrifa due
Yaa w) ojobang
Da yie
Hedenyuie
Rest in peace
