Following the sudden demise of the 3rd President of the Republic of Ghana, John Atta Mills, the OAIC family joins the world in condoling with Ghana. We would like to pass our sincerest condolences to his family and the people of Ghana, for their loss.

His death is a big blow not only to Ghana, but also to Africa and the world at large as Ghana has been reputed as a model country for its headway in democracy and the late president was a symbol of this.

Reports indicate that the late President Atta Mills had been suffering from throat cancer and a statement from his office stated that he died a few hours after being taken ill. He passed on at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra on the afternoon of Tuesday, 24th July while receiving treatment.

It is sad to note that the late president died just three days after his 68th birthday. Having barely completed his first term and with only 6 months to the elections, we pray that his plans to make Ghana a better country shall live on.

It is worthwhile to note that the late Atta Mills was an astute scholar who spent much of his career teaching at the University of Ghana. He earned a doctorate from London’s School of Oriental and African Studies before becoming a Fulbright scholar at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

With a population of almost 25 million people in Ghana, reports indicate that the late president had vowed to spread the wealth from Ghana’s newly discovered offshore oil fields. Under his leadership, Ghana joined the ranks of the world’s large-scale oil producers. We pray that Ghana, whose economy has been fuelled by gold, cocoa and timber exports in the past, shall remain peaceful even as the elections are around the corner; in a country hailed as a solid democracy.

That the country’s democratic institutions shall enhance what he was able to achieve during his tenure and that his legacy of integrity shall live on. We pray that his death shall make the people of Ghana embrace God even more.

John Dramani Mahama, his vice-president, has been sworn in as his replacement in a ceremony in the capital. He will serve for the rest of Mr Atta-Mills’ term, before elections which are scheduled for December.

It is a coincidence and worthy to note that three successive presidents of Ghana have had the name John: His predecessor, John Kufuor, the late John Atta Mills and his successor, John Dramani Mahama.
May the good Lord continue to watch over his family, and Ghana, we pray.

May his soul rest in peace.