30th January 2022
This year marks exactly ten years after Prof. John Evans Ata Mills died. He is the first president to die as president.
In his memory, a group of technocrats have formed the John Evans Ata Mills Memorial Center to his honour. The institution will be launched on 1st February at Accra International Center. Dignatories from the NDC and other scholars are expected to attend the event which is under the theme, ' The Man John Evans Ata Mills, Ten Years On'
Ahead of this, CitizenOne recall some important memories about the man for the perusal of the man we are about to celebrate.
1. ' I Will Heal Wounds'
During his investiture in 2009, President John Evans Ata Mills promised to heal wounds. He acknowledged that there were so many divisions in Ghana due to political polarization. He promised to use his presidency to bring all Ghanaians together to achieve the development we endeavour. He walked his talk and earned the title Asomdwe Hene meaning king of peace.
2. Encounter With Custom Officers.
Late President Mills in his attempt to fight corruption enaged an investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas to investigate alleged corruption at customs. After the documentary was published, the president himself stormed the head office of customs unannounced. He expressed his vicious anger for the first time. The president threatened to transfer all officers if need be.
3. Position On LGBTQI
The late President is the only President who didn' t mince word to declare his stance against LGBTQI. During his presidency, pressure was coming from British for Ghana to accept LGBTQI or they will not give Ghana any further aide.
But John Mills called the bluff of Prime Minister David Cameron. He told British that he as president will never initiate or support the legalization of LGBTQI in Ghana.
4. Our ' Ecominy'
In his first state of nation address, Prof. JEA Mills was heckled by the minority caucus. He told the then Speaker of parliament Joyce Banford Addo that he knew he was going to be heckled but what he didn' t know was a gangantuan heckle. In mentioning the word ' economy' , the president got confused and mentioned ' ecominy' . This became his trade name.
5. My brothers and sisters
President Akuffo Addo earned a nick name ' fellow Ghanaians' from the series of covid- 19 updates he give Ghanaians. For Prof. Mills, he was nicknamed ' my brothers and sisters' . This is because he always prefix his statement with that opening remarks.
Prof. Mills died in July 2012, three days after his birthday. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace.
What else do you remember about the man John Evans Ata Mills? Take to the comments section and let's hear you. Remember to like and share this article.
CitizenOne
Content created and supplied by: CitizenOne (via Opera News )
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