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Do not fill this in! {{Short description|President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012}} {{Use Ghanaian English|date=September 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = John Atta Mills.jpg | caption = Mills in 2009 | order = [[President of Ghana]] | vicepresident = [[John Dramani Mahama]] | term_start = 7 January 2009 | term_end = 24 July 2012 | predecessor = [[John Agyekum Kufuor]] | successor = [[John Dramani Mahama]] | office1 = [[Vice President of Ghana]] | president1 = [[Jerry John Rawlings]] | term_start1 = 7 January 1997 | term_end1 = 7 January 2001 | predecessor1 = [[Kow Nkensen Arkaah]] | successor1 = [[Aliu Mahama]] | birth_name = John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills | birth_date = {{birth date|1944|7|21|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Tarkwa]], [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]]<br />(now Ghana) | death_date = {{death date and age |2012|7|24|1944|7|21|df=y}} | death_place = [[Accra]], Ghana | restingplace = [[List of cemeteries in Accra|Asomdwee Park]], [[Accra, Ghana]] | party = [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]] | blank1 = Notable Awards | data1 = {{Plainlist| * [[Fulbright Scholar]] * Glo-CAF Platinum Award * Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize * The Fritz Redlich Alumni Award }} | spouse = [[Ernestina Naadu Mills]] (née Botchway) | children = Sam Kofi Atta Mills<ref name="bbcbio"/> | blank2 = Occupation | data2 = Law Professor | blank3 = Institution | data3 = [[University of Ghana]], [[Legon]] | blank4 = Field | data4 = [[Tax law]] | blank5 = Positions | data5 = National Tax Commissioner, [[Internal Revenue Service (Ghana)|Internal Revenue Service]] (1988–1996) | alma_mater = {{Plainlist| * [[University of Ghana]] ([[LLB]]) * [[London School of Economics]] ([[Master of Laws|LLM]]) * [[SOAS School of Law|University of London]] ([[PhD]]) }} | signature = }} '''John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills''' (21 July 1944 – 24 July 2012) was a [[Ghana]]ian politician and legal scholar who served as [[President of Ghana]] from 2009 until his death in 2012. He was inaugurated on 7 January 2009, having defeated the governing party candidate [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] in the [[2008 Ghanaian presidential election]].<ref name="AP">{{cite news|last=Kokutse |first=Francis |title=Opposition leader wins presidency in Ghana |agency=Associated Press |date=3 January 2009 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-01-03-ghana-election_N.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209072058/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-01-03-ghana-election_N.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 December 2012 |work=USA Today |access-date=24 July 2012 }}</ref> He was previously the [[Vice-President of Ghana|Vice-President]] from 1997 to 2001 under President [[Jerry Rawlings]], and he contested unsuccessfully in the [[2000 Ghanaian presidential election|2000]] and [[2004 Ghanaian presidential election|2004 presidential elections]] as the candidate of the [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]] (NDC). He was the first [[List of heads of state of Ghana|Ghanaian head of state]] to die in office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nartey |first=Laud |date=20 July 2022 |title=Where is Prof Mills' body? - Sam Atta Mills asks after alleging tomb has been tampered with |url=https://3news.com/where-is-prof-mills-body-sam-atta-mills-asks-after-alleging-tomb-has-been-tampered-with/ |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=3News |language=en-US |archive-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626113938/https://3news.com/where-is-prof-mills-body-sam-atta-mills-asks-after-alleging-tomb-has-been-tampered-with/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==Early life== Mills was born on 21 July 1944 in [[Tarkwa]], in the [[Western Region, Ghana|Western Region]] of Ghana.<ref name="bbcbio">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7804884.stm |title=Profile: Ghana President John Atta Mills |date=3 January 2009 |work=BBC News |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913041338/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7804884.stm |archive-date=13 September 2012 }}</ref> His parents were John Atta Mills Sr., an educator, who taught at the [[Komenda College of Education|Komenda Teacher Training College]] and Mercy Dawson Amoah.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=1 February 2022|title=Launch of the John Evans Atta Mills (JEAM) Memorial Heritage|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/LIVESTREAMING-Launch-of-the-John-Evans-Atta-Mills-JEAM-Memorial-Heritage-1458904|access-date=1 February 2022|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}</ref> He was the second child (and first son) among seven siblings.<ref name=":2" /> A member of the [[Fante people|Fante]] ethnic group, he hailed from the town of Ekumfi Otuam in the Mfantsiman East constituency of the [[Central Region, Ghana|Central Region]] of Ghana.<ref name="ngrguardiannews1">{{cite web |title=John Atta Mills: Death of an African leader |url=http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93356:john-atta-mills-death-of-an-african-leader&catid=73:policy-a-politics&Itemid=607 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601233735/http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93356:john-atta-mills-death-of-an-african-leader&catid=73:policy-a-politics&Itemid=607 |archive-date=1 June 2013 |access-date=27 July 2012 |publisher=Ngrguardiannews.}}</ref> He had his primary and middle school education at [[Huni Valley]] [[Methodist]] [[Primary School]] and [[Komenda]] [[Methodist]] [[Middle School]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 August 2012 |title=Gold Fields to equip Mills' alma mata with ICT centre | Business |url=http://business.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201208/91909.php?storyid=91909 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814035435/http://business.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201208/91909.php?storyid=91909 |archive-date=14 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Business myjoyonline.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 August 2012 |title=Mourners at KEEA pay last respects to Prof Atta-Mills |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/411018/1/mourners-at-keea-pay-last-respects-to-prof-atta-mi.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813035848/http://www.modernghana.com/news/411018/1/mourners-at-keea-pay-last-respects-to-prof-atta-mi.html |archive-date=13 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=ModernGhana}}</ref> He then proceeded to the prestigious [[Achimota School]] for his secondary education, where he completed the Ordinary and Advanced-Level Certificates in 1961 and 1963 respectively, and the [[University of Ghana]], [[Legon]], where he completed a bachelor of law degree, [[LLB]] and a professional law certificate in 1967.<ref name="bbcbio"/><ref name="ngrguardiannews1" /> Mills studied at the [[London School of Economics|London School of Economics and Political Science]] where he obtained an [[Master of Laws|LLM]] in 1968 and earned a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in Law at the [[SOAS School of Law|School of Oriental and African Studies School of Law]], part of the federal [[University of London]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last1=Hirsch |first1=Afua |last2=correspondent |first2=West Africa |date=24 July 2012 |title=Ghanaian president John Evans Atta Mills dies, aged 68 |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/24/ghanaian-president-john-evans-atta-mills-dies |access-date=26 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> after completing his doctoral thesis in the field of [[taxation]] and [[economic development]] in 1971 at the age of 27.<ref name="bbcbio"/> ==Early career== Mills' first formal teaching assignment was as a lecturer at the [[Faculty of Law]] at the [[University of Ghana]].<ref name="aljaz2"/> He spent close to twenty-five years teaching at [[University of Ghana|Legon]] and other institutions of higher learning.<ref name="bbcbio"/> In 1971, he was selected for the [[Fulbright Scholar]] programme at [[Stanford Law School]] in the US.<ref name=":3" /> He returned to his homeland, Ghana, at the end of the [[Fulbright program|international educational exchange]] fellowship to work at his alma mater, the University of Ghana, for 25 years.<ref name="bbcbio"/> He became a visiting professor at [[Temple University]] ([[Philadelphia]], USA), with two stints from 1978 to 1979, and 1986 to 1987. He was also a visiting lecturer at [[Leiden University]] in the [[Netherlands]] from 1985 to 1986. During this period, he authored several publications relating to taxation in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name="ghananation1">{{cite web |date=24 July 2012 |title=John Evans Fifii Atta Mills – Biography – GhanaNation News |url=http://news1.ghananation.com/articles/267425-john-atta-mills-biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727011107/http://news1.ghananation.com/articles/267425-john-atta-mills-biography.html |archive-date=27 July 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=News1 ghananation}}</ref> Outside of his academic pursuits, Mills was the Acting Commissioner of Ghana's [[Internal Revenue Service (Ghana)|Internal Revenue Service]] from 1988 to 1993 under President [[Jerry John Rawlings]],<ref name="bbcbio"/> and the substantive Commissioner from 1993 to 1996. By 1992, he had become an [[Associate professor|Associate Professor]] of Law at the University of Ghana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/features/15254-biography-of-late-president-mills- |title=Biography of Late President Mills |publisher=Ghana.gov.gh |date=11 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930011035/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/features/15254-biography-of-late-president-mills- |archive-date=30 September 2012 }}</ref> In 2002, he was a [[visiting scholar]] at the [[Liu Institute for Global Issues]] at the [[University of British Columbia]] in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia through a joint [[Canadian International Development Agency]](CIDA) – [[International Development Research Centre]] (IDRC) fellowship programme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/?p2=modules/liu/news/view.jsp&id=513 |title=Liu Institute for Global Issues |publisher=Ligi.ubc.ca |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623032826/http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/?p2=modules%2Fliu%2Fnews%2Fview.jsp&id=513 |archive-date=23 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Misc/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=463 |title=Misc – News |publisher=Idrc.ca |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523141045/http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Misc/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=463 |archive-date=23 May 2013 }}</ref> ==Politics== ===Vice-President of Ghana=== For the [[1992 Ghanaian presidential election|inaugural presidential election in 1992]], the [[National Convention Party (Ghana)|National Convention Party]] (NCP) had formed an alliance with the [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]] (NDC). Former [[Provisional National Defence Council]] (PNDC) Chairman, and leader of Ghana, Flight-Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings chose the NCP leader, [[Kow Nkensen Arkaah]], as his running-mate for vice-president. Having been elected in the 1992 election, Arkaah served between 1992 and 1996. However, on 29 January 1996, the NCP broke with the NDC. Arkaah with the [[National Convention Party (Ghana)|National Convention Party]] formed the Great Alliance with the [[New Patriotic Party]] and was subsequently nominated as the running mate of [[John Agyekum Kufuor]] to challenge the [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]]. Rawlings selected Mills for the vacated Vice-Presidency in his bid for re-election to a second term in the election and was re-elected to his second term in office, serving from 1996 to 2000. In his capacity as vice-president, he served as the Chairman of the Police Council of Ghana and the Chairman of the Economic Management Team. ===Presidential elections=== [[File:Mills Obama Billboard.jpg|thumb|left|President Mills featured on a billboard with Former US President [[Barack Obama]]]] In 2000, Mills became the NDC's candidate for the [[2000 Ghanaian presidential election|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 heat of the 2000 presidential campaign, Mills was roundly criticized for statements that if elected he would consult with Rawlings daily.<ref name="britannica.com">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1508745/John-Evans-Atta-Mills |title=John Evans Atta Mills |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430121659/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1508745/John-Evans-Atta-Mills |archive-date=30 April 2011 }}</ref> 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. In December 2002, Mills was elected by his party to be its flag bearer and lead them into the [[2004 Ghanaian presidential election|2004 election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fact File : John Evans Atta Mills |url=http://www.attamills2008.com/about.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707184219/http://www.attamills2008.com/about.html |archive-date=7 July 2011 |access-date=26 July 2012 |publisher=AttaMills2008}}</ref> He was, however, defeated again by incumbent president John Agyekum Kufuor, who received 52.45% of the vote on the first ballot. On 21 December 2006, he became the NDC's candidate for the [[2008 Ghanaian presidential election|2008 presidential election]], winning his party's ticket by an 81.4% result (1,362 votes), far ahead of his opponents, [[Ekwow Spio-Garbrah]], [[Mahama Iddrisu|Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu]], and [[Edward Annan|Eddie Annan]].<ref name="NDC">{{cite web|url=http://www.attamills2008.com/site/?page_id=2 |title=John Atta Mills & John Mahama – The Change We Deserve |publisher=National Democratic Congress |access-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201181245/http://www.attamills2008.com/site/?page_id=2 |archive-date=1 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=22 December 2006|title=NDC Congress Results-Prof Wins|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/120781/1/ndc-congress-results-prof-wins.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019191841/http://www.modernghana.com/GhanaHome/NewsArchive/news_details.asp?t=mg&id=VFZSSmQwNTZaM2c9&menu_id=1&sub_menu_id=0|archive-date=19 October 2008|access-date=24 July 2012|website=|publisher=modernghana.com}}</ref> In the 2008 election, [[John Agyekum Kufuor]] was no longer eligible to run as president, having served two terms. It was during this time that the term ''[[Better Ghana Agenda]]'' was coined. During the 2008 elections, in an attempt to change the public perception at the time that he would be a political lackey of his former mentor, [[Jerry Rawlings]] when elected, he distanced himself from his previous comments made in the 2000 campaign .<ref name="britannica.com"/> Mills' main opponent from the [[New Patriotic Party]] was now [[Nana Akufo-Addo]]. Mills ran under the campaign slogan of "A Better Man for a Better Ghana," on a platform of change. He said: "People are complaining. They're saying that their standard of living has deteriorated these past eight years. So if Ghana is a model of growth, it's not translating into something people can feel."<ref name="aljaz2"/> The result of the first ballot had Akufo-Addo in front with 49.13% of the vote to Mills' 47.92%, however, a run-off second round of voting was needed. The second round of voting took place on 28 December 2008. The result was a slim lead held by Mills, but due to problems with the distribution of ballots, the [[Tain]] constituency, located in the [[Brong-Ahafo Region]], was forced to vote again on 2 January 2009. The final result was a victory by Mills with 50.23% of the vote to Akufo-Addo's 49.77%. Mills became the third president of the 4th Republic of Ghana.<ref name="bbcbio" /> Self-described as a [[social democrat]] who believed in the concept of [[social welfare]] espoused by [[Kwame Nkrumah]] (independent Ghana's first leader), Mills embraced a political platform that was more comprehensive and less divisive than that of either Nkrumah or Rawlings. John Atta Mills was sworn in as president on 7 January 2009 in a peaceful transition after Akufo-Addo was narrowly defeated.<ref>Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, "The 2008 Freedom House Survey: Another Step Forward for Ghana." ''Journal of Democracy'' 20.2 (2009): 138-152 [https://muse.jhu.edu/article/262756/summary excerpt].</ref> His persistence and determination paid off when he won the 2008 presidential poll.<ref name="britannica.com"/> ===Presidency=== {{Main|Presidency of John Atta Mills}} [[File:MiguelJorgeeJohnAttaMills.JPG|thumb|right|240px|President Mills on a meeting with the Minister of Development of Brazil, Miguel Jorge]] Amongst his accomplishments as president was presiding over and initiating Ghana's first ever foray into oil production, after oil was discovered in commercial quantities under his predecessor, John Kufuor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11996983 |title=Ghana oil begins pumping for first time |date=15 December 2010 |work=BBC News |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902051028/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11996983 |archive-date=2 September 2012 }}</ref> He was also credited for growth in other sectors of the economy during his tenure. He was the first incumbent president to be re-nominated for an election for his party via a primary.<ref name="aljaz2"/> Some of the monumental achievements chalked during his term of office include: ====Economy==== Under Mills, Ghana's stable economy experienced sustained reduced inflation leading to the attainment of single digit inflation of about 8.4%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofep.gov.gh/?q=news/120811 |title=Ghana Records Lowest Inflation in Years |publisher=Ministry of Finance – Ghana |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231618/http://www.mofep.gov.gh/?q=news%2F120811 |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}</ref> (one of the lowest inflation rates Ghana had attained in 42 years i.e. period between 1970 and 2012 as well as the lowest since June 1992 just before the start of Ghana's Fourth Republic) from a high of 18.1% in December 2008.<ref name="ghanaweb1">{{cite web |date=30 November 2001 |title=Achievements of Professor Evans Atta Mills Led NDC Government | Feature Article 9 January 2011 |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=200903 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010452/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=200903 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Ghanaweb.}}</ref> This is indicative of prudent fiscal, monetary and other austerity policy measures that characterised his presidency to put the economy in healthy shape. The Ghanaian currency, the [[Cedi]] also stabilised as a result of these policies. In 2011, Ghana was the fastest growing economy in the world at 20.15% for the first half of the year and 14.4% at the end of the financial year according to the [[International Monetary Fund]] and EconomyWatch.com.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 August 2011 |title=Ghana is currently the world's fastest growing economy in 2011 |url=http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/08/11/ghana-is-currently-the-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-in-2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814072058/http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/08/11/ghana-is-currently-the-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-in-2011/ |archive-date=14 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Cp-africa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ventures-africa.com/2012/08/the-7-fastest-growing-economies-in-africa/ |title=The 7 Fastest Growing Economies in Africa |publisher=Ventures Africa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708044807/http://www.ventures-africa.com/2012/08/the-7-fastest-growing-economies-in-africa/ |archive-date=8 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/08/11/ghana-is-currently-the-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-in-2011/ |title=Ghana is currently the world's fastest growing economy in 2011 |publisher=Celebrating Progress Africa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814072058/http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/08/11/ghana-is-currently-the-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-in-2011/ |archive-date=14 August 2012 }}</ref> Moreover, Ghana's budget deficit was reduced to 2% of the Gross Domestic Product during his tenure compared to 14.5% of GDP in 2008, just before he was elected as the [[President of Ghana]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana: Mills' State of the Nation address, arrest of drug barons reported |url=http://www.afriquejet.com/ghana-mills-state-of-the-nation-address-arrest-of-drug-barons-reported-2012021833631.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220061326/http://www.afriquejet.com/ghana-mills-state-of-the-nation-address-arrest-of-drug-barons-reported-2012021833631.html |archive-date=20 February 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Afriquejet.}}</ref> There was also a huge improvement in Ghana's gross international reserves and foreign direct investments (FDI) highlighting exceptional macroeconomic performance.<ref name="iamaghanaian1">{{cite web |title=Spio-Garbrah congratulates Mills' government on Top 50 Achievements |url=http://iamaghanaian.net/index.php?do=/news/spio-garbrah-congratulates-mills-8217-government-on-top-50-achievements/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001051/http://iamaghanaian.net/index.php?do=%2Fnews%2Fspio-garbrah-congratulates-mills-8217-government-on-top-50-achievements%2F |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=iamaghanaian.}}</ref> The Mills government also implemented the Single Spine Salary system which increased compensation levels of all public sector workers.<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> In a bid to improve the efficiency in revenue collection, Mills established the Ghana Revenue Authority which integrated [[Value-added tax|Value Added Tax]] (VAT), Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> Under his governance, Ghana met three out of the four primary convergence criteria for the proposed [[common currency]], [[Eco (currency)|Eco]] of the [[West African Monetary Zone]]. These accomplishments led to renewed domestic and foreign investor confidence in Ghana's economy.<ref name="iamaghanaian1"/> During Mills' time in office, Ghana was adjudged the best place for doing business in West Africa and best West African performer in access to credit according to the 2011 [[World Bank]] Doing Business global rankings.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2001 |title=Ghana is the easiest place to do business in West Africa - World Bank |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=196777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013611/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=196777 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |work=ghanaweb.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=allAfrica.com: West Africa: Ghana Tops West Africa in Doing Business Ranking |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201310301498.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203055327/http://allafrica.com/stories/201310301498.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |work=allAfrica.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ghana |work=worldbank.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/FPDKM/Doing%20Business/Documents/Annual-Reports/English/DB11-FullReport.pdf |title=2011 World Bank Doing Business Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611091339/http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/fpdkm/doing%20business/documents/annual-reports/english/db11-fullreport.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2014 }}</ref> ====Education==== There was also an increase in the capitation grants (government subsidies towards public education) under Mills. The government also introduced a programme to provide free school uniforms to deprived communities while providing over 100,000 [[laptops]] or [[Laptop|notebooks]] to school children to facilitate the learning process in a highly technological world. An initiative to provide free exercise books started under Mills. More than 23 million books were distributed. His government also expanded the school feeding programme to include 230 more schools.<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> Government paid the full tuition fees for all teachers pursuing further studies through distance learning. A sustained program involving the Ministry of Education, the GETFUND, and resources allocated by the various [[District Assemblies]] have begun to ensure the elimination of schools under trees and provide all schools in the country with decent classroom infrastructure. Out of the 4,320 schools under trees, almost 1,700 schools under trees were eliminated across the country. The Mills administration also started a program to re-equip science resource centres in all districts of the country to enhance the teaching and learning of science.<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> Two new specialized public universities were established during his tenure: the [[University of Health and Allied Sciences]] in the [[Volta Region]] and the [[University of Energy and Natural Resources]] in the [[Brong-Ahafo Region]].<ref>{{cite web |date=18 May 2012 |title=University of Health And Allied Sciences To Takeoff in September |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/13025-university-of-health-and-allied-sciences-to-takeoff-in-september/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623105638/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/13025-university-of-health-and-allied-sciences-to-takeoff-in-september |archive-date=23 June 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Ghana government ghana}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 November 2011 |title=University of Energy, Natural Resources Ready For Admissions |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/regional-news/brong-ahafo/8943-university-of-energy-and-natural-resources-ready-for-admissions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033214/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/regional-news/brong-ahafo/8943-university-of-energy-and-natural-resources-ready-for-admissions/ |archive-date=11 January 2016 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Ghana Government Ghana}}</ref> As president, Mills established a working relationship between the Masters in Development Practice program (MDP) at the [[University of Winnipeg]], Canada and the [[University for Development Studies]] [[Ghana]], leading to a joint initiative on the study of development practice for Indigenous and traditional societies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uwinnipeg.ca/index/uw-news-action/story.851/title.the-passing-of-john-atta-mills-president-of-ghana |title=The Passing of John Atta-Mills President of Ghana |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033212/http://uwinnipeg.ca/index/uw-news-action/story.851/title.the-passing-of-john-atta-mills-president-of-ghana |archive-date=11 January 2016|access-date=3 December 2014 }}</ref> ====Health==== During his term of office, the Mills government provided a facelift to many teaching, regional and district hospitals across the country by upgrading old facilities and providing newer ones such as more high-tech equipment and more beds in hospitals, particularly at the [[Tamale Teaching Hospital]].<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web |date=20 July 2013 |title=Mills' reverence for Parliament was exceedingly significant – Ablakwa |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=280012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033212/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=280012 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |publisher=Ghanaweb}}</ref> His government also built several polyclinics to increase access to healthcare.<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> The government also scaled up the National Ambulance Service to cover all districts in the nation. Increased collaboration between stakeholders led higher patronage of the [[National Health Insurance Scheme (Ghana)|National Health Insurance Scheme]]. Utilization of the scheme rose by 75%.<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> ==== Governance and international relations ==== True to his promise to reduce the number of Ministerial appointees and run a lean government, the number of Ministers was significantly reduced from 87 of the previous Kufuor [[New Patriotic Party|NPP]] government to 73 (a reduction of 16%) in the Mills-led government. It was projected that approximately $4 million was saved annually by this bold decision to run a small government. The hundreds of Special Assistants, Presidential Staffers and Spokespersons were also eliminated to improve fiscal efficiency.<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> He commissioned a review of the 1992 [[Constitution of Ghana]] in a bid to improve upon the country's governance architecture.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> He held an annual media forum every year at the presidency to interact with journalists about socio-political issues.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> [[File:Obama_&_Atta-Mills,_2012-07-31_B002.jpg|thumb|Obama & Atta Mills, 2009]] President Atta Mills re-equipped and re-tooled the security agencies: the military, the police, the fire service, the Immigration, The Prisons Service and the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).<ref name="autogenerated2" /> In order to ensure inter-generational equity because of the "finite nature of resource revenue" as well as financial security for future Ghanaian generations, the Mills government established in 2011, the Ghana Heritage Fund<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 August 2010 |title=Ghana to adopt the Norwegian model to manage its petroleum revenue |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Ghana-to-adopt-the-Norwegian-model-to-manage-its-petroleum-revenue-187732 |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref> - a sovereign wealth fund generated from petroleum revenue accumulated from the country's oil and gas industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swfinstitute.org/swfs/ghana-petroleum-funds/ |title=Ghana Petroleum Funds |work=Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503051058/http://www.swfinstitute.org/swfs/ghana-petroleum-funds/ |archive-date=3 May 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ghanaoilonline.org/2013/03/ghana-expects-581-mln-usd-oil-revenues-in-2013/ |title=Ghana expects 581 mln USD oil revenues in 2013 |work=Ghana Oil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514062743/http://ghanaoilonline.org/2013/03/ghana-expects-581-mln-usd-oil-revenues-in-2013/ |archive-date=14 May 2014 }}</ref> John Atta Mills established the Media Development Fund to promote media excellence and freedom in the spirit of 1992 constitution.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2001 |title=Media Development Fund is testimony of late Prez. Mills' commitment to Media Excellence - Kabral - Regional News 2012-08-01 |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=246575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429075654/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=246575 |archive-date=29 April 2014 |access-date=21 October 2014 |publisher=Ghanaweb}}</ref> A few months prior to his death, he was praised by US President [[Barack Obama]] for making Ghana a "good news story" that had good democratic credentials. He also [[China-Ghana relations|fostered economic ties with China]]<ref name="aljaz" /> in a bid strengthen Sino-Ghanaian bilateral relations. In 2009, the [[Journal of International Affairs]] at [[Columbia University]] featured Mills as one of the "Five Faces of African Innovation and Entrepreneurship" along with South African innovator, [[Euvin Naidoo]] and [[Mo Ibrahim]], (founder of [[Celtel International]] and Chairman of the [[Mo Ibrahim Foundation]]) where he was lauded for his commitment to strengthening Ghana's Electoral Commission, [[National Media Commission]] and National Commission for Civic Education and more importantly, transparency in public institutions, particularly in the country's growing oil and gas sector.<ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/journal-of-international-affairs/3476586-1.html Journal of International and Public Affairs- Africa Edition] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110065818/http://www.allbusiness.com/journal-of-international-affairs/3476586-1.html |date=10 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures/12325032-1.html Profile in the Journal of International and Public Affairs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117210819/http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures/12325032-1.html |date=17 January 2010 }}</ref> Mills' leadership style was very diplomatic, inclusive and less polarising than his predecessors. The [[BBC]] described his presidency as that of "a peacemaker who was never one to make disparaging comments in public" despite intense criticisms and vilification from his political supporters and opponents alike.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18976804 |title=BBC News – Obituary: Ghana's President John Atta Mills |publisher=BBC |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830133440/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18976804 |archive-date=30 August 2012 }}</ref> ====Agriculture, energy access and rural development==== The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) law was passed and work was started to open up the three Northern regions, Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions to enhance agriculture production and industrialisation. Under Mills, the producer price of cocoa increased appreciably to $1600 per tonne of 16 bags, which was the highest in the sub-region and the highest that had ever been paid to cocoa farmers in Ghana's entire history.<ref name="ghanaweb1"/> Cocoa production also hit a record-breaking 1 million metric tonnes.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> Under the rural electrification programme, he extended national electricity coverage from 54% to 72% improving livelihoods in 1,700 communities and making [[Ghana]] the third best country in [[sub-Saharan Africa]] after [[Mauritius]] and [[South Africa]] with enhanced energy access.<ref name=autogenerated2 /><ref>{{cite web |title=IEA - Energy access database |url=http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/resources/energydevelopment/energyaccessdatabase/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013055039/http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/resources/energydevelopment/energyaccessdatabase/ |archive-date=13 October 2016 |work=worldenergyoutlook}}</ref> ==Personal life== [[File:Ernestina Mills and Michelle Obama.jpg|thumb|[[First Lady of Ghana|First Lady]] Ernestina Mills, wife of John Atta Mills, with [[Michelle Obama]] in 2012]] He was married to [[Ernestina Naadu Mills]] (née Botchway),<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana Districts - A repository of all districts in the republic of Ghana |url=http://www.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/news/?read=21457 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213033333/http://www.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/news/?read=21457 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |work=ghanadistricts Government Ghana}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=3 January 2009 |title=Profile of President-Elect Mills |url=http://ghanalinx.com/profile-of-president-elect-mills/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211111014/http://ghanalinx.com/profile-of-president-elect-mills/ |archive-date=11 December 2014 |work=ghanalinx.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=GhanaDot.com ....Profile of President-Elect Mills |url=http://www.ghanadot.com/personalities.mills.010309.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906163620/http://www.ghanadot.com/personalities.mills.010309.html |archive-date=6 September 2015 |work=ghanadot.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Nii Marma |title=mijaku.com - Profiles of the NDC presidential and vice presidential candidates |url=http://mijaku.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=728&Itemid=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309154639/http://mijaku.com/index.php?id=728&itemid=2&option=com_content&task=view |archive-date=9 March 2016 |work=mijaku.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=6 April 2007 |title=Meet Naadu Mills |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/133520/1/meet-naadu-mills.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220042916/http://www.modernghana.com/news/133520/1/meet-naadu-mills.html |archive-date=20 December 2014 |work=modernghana.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2001 |title=Profile of President-Elect Mills |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=155622 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033212/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=155622 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |work=ghanaweb}}</ref> an educator, and had a son, Sam Kofi Atta Mills.<ref name="bbcbio"/> He was raised a [[Protestant]] in the [[Methodist]] tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2012 |title=Veep calls for nation to celebrate life of President Mills |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Veep-calls-for-nation-to-celebrate-life-of-President-Mills-247413 |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref> He was a distant cousin of the prominent [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]] [[lawyer]], [[Thomas Hutton-Mills Jr.|Thomas Hutton-Mills, Jr]]. He was a good friend to [[T. B. Joshua]] 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.<ref>{{cite news|first=Simon |last=Ateba |title='T.B. Joshua Predicted My Victory' — Ghana's Leader |url=http://thepmnews.com/2009/01/12/tb-joshua-predicted-my-victory-%E2%80%94ghana%E2%80%99s-leader |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231191030/http://thepmnews.com/2009/01/12/tb-joshua-predicted-my-victory-%E2%80%94ghana%E2%80%99s-leader |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2011 |work=PM News |date=12 January 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tawiah |first=Francis |date=15 September 2010 |title=President Mills's Top Secret Trip To T.B. Joshua in Nigeria |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/296262/president-millss-top-secret-trip-to-tb-joshua-in-nigeria.html |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=Modern Ghana}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Ademola |last=Adegbamigbe |title=Mill's Day at the Synagogue |url=http://thenewsng.com/article/1613 |work=The News |date=19 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007010043/http://thenewsng.com/article/1613 |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}</ref> As a sports administrator, he contributed to the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sports Council of Ghana, Ghana Olympic Committee 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).<ref name="bbcbio"/><ref name="NDC"/> He was also a board member of Hearts of Oak and a [[Manchester United]] fan.<ref name="aljaz2">{{cite news|title=Obituary: Ghana's John Atta Mills |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201272418518976657.html |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=26 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725075351/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201272418518976657.html |archive-date=25 July 2012 }}</ref> ==Other activities and projects== At the [[University of Ghana]], Mills was the Hall Tutor of [[Legon Hall]] as well as serving as the Hall Librarian, Member of [[Legon]] Hall Council, Member of Board of Social Studies and School of Administration, Member of Admissions Board, Staff Housing Loans Scheme and the Chairman of the University Superannuation Scheme.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=30 November 2001 |title=CV of Professor Mills, NDC candidate |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/election2008/CV-of-Professor-Mills-NDC-candidate-71066 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923190013/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/election2008/CV-of-Professor-Mills-NDC-candidate-71066 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |access-date=12 June 2017 |website=ghanaweb |language=en}}</ref> Mills was involved in various activities and projects:<ref name="ghananation1" /> * He was a member of the [[Ghana Stock Exchange]] council. * In 1988, he became the acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service of Ghana and was named national tax commissioner in September 1993. * He also held examiner positions with finance-related institutions in Ghana, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Bankers, and Ghana Tax Review Commission. * He served on the [[Board of Trustees]] of the Mines Trust. * He was a member of the Management Committee of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|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. * He led a study on equipment leasing in Ghana. * He chaired the casebook preparation on Ghana's income tax. * He oversaw the Review of Ghana's Double Tax Agreement with the UK. ==Illness and death== Mills died on 24 July 2012 at the [[37 Military Hospital]] in [[Accra]],<ref name="BBC Article on Death">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18972107 |title=Ghana's President John Atta Mills dies |work=BBC News |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724184729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18972107 |archive-date=24 July 2012 }}</ref> three days after his 68th birthday.<ref name="reuters2012">{{cite news|title=Ghana President Mills dead – presidential statement |work=Reuters |date=24 July 2012 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ghana-president-idUSL6E8IOJ0S20120724 |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811034216/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/24/ghana-president-idUSL6E8IOJ0S20120724 |archive-date=11 August 2012 }}</ref> Though the cause of death was not immediately released, he had been suffering from [[Head and neck cancer|throat cancer]] and had recently been to the US for medical reasons.<ref name="BBC Article on Death" /><ref name=":1" /> Announcing his death, his office noted that he died hours after being taken ill,<ref>{{cite news|first=David |last=Adadevoh |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j7aqtvyZGFEqa34R8LIkVC62k51Q?docId=CNG.43240e669c8687bb76838f143bc4c40d.61 |title=Ghana president dies after illness: presidency |date=24 July 2012 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729031257/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j7aqtvyZGFEqa34R8LIkVC62k51Q?docId=CNG.43240e669c8687bb76838f143bc4c40d.61 |archive-date=29 July 2012 }}</ref> but a presidential aide said that he had complained of pains the day prior to his death. However, Mills' brother, Dr. Cadman Mills later disclosed during the graveside service that he had died from complications of a [[stroke|massive hemorrhagic stroke]] resulting from [[Brain Aneurysm|brain aneurysm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mills-died-from-Hemorrhagic-stroke-Cadman-Mills-370015 |title=Revealed: Mills died from Hemorrhagic stroke - Cadman Mills | General News 2015-07-21 |publisher=Ghanaweb.com |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723220210/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mills-died-from-Hemorrhagic-stroke-Cadman-Mills-370015 |archive-date=23 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=GBC News, Mills died from massive stroke – Brother |url=http://gbcghana.com/index.php?id=1.1011155 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123223959/http://gbcghana.com/index.php?id=1.1011155 |archive-date=23 January 2013 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Gbcghana.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 March 2017 |title=Prof Mills did not die of throat cancer – Dr Cadman Mills |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Prof-Mills-did-not-die-of-throat-cancer-Dr-Cadman-Mills-523772 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519022517/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Prof-Mills-did-not-die-of-throat-cancer-Dr-Cadman-Mills-523772 |archive-date=19 May 2017 |access-date=30 March 2017 |website=ghanaweb. |language=en}}</ref> According to the [[BBC]], his voice had degenerated in the previous few months.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-19204106 |title=President John Atta Mills funeral held in Ghana |date=10 August 2012 |work=BBC News |access-date=12 June 2017 |language=en-GB |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051701/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-19204106 |archive-date=5 June 2014 }}</ref> 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."<ref name="BBC Article on Death" /> His vice president [[John Dramani Mahama]] was sworn in at about 20:00 GMT on the same day. In accordance with [[Constitution of Ghana|Ghana's constitution]], Mahama's tenure expired at the same time Mills' was due to end, by the end of the year just prior to an [[2012 Ghanaian presidential election|election]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL6E8IOJOX20120724 |title=Ghana VP to be sworn in as new president |date=24 July 2012 |work=Reuters |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726221518/https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL6E8IOJOX20120724 |archive-date=26 July 2012 }}</ref> in which he was due to run.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ghana-president-idUSBRE86N14720120724 |title=Ghana President Mills dies, VP to replace him |first=Kwasi |last=Kpodo |date=24 July 2012 |work=Reuters |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724184145/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/24/us-ghana-president-idUSBRE86N14720120724 |archive-date=24 July 2012 }}</ref> Mahama said upon being inaugurated in parliament: <blockquote>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 that it would place our nation in such a difficult circumstance. I'm personally devastated, I've lost a father, I've lost a friend, I've lost a mentor and a senior comrade. Ghana is united in grief at this time for our departed president.<ref name=aljaz>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/20127259518486684.html |title=Ghana swears in Mahama as new president |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=25 July 2012 |access-date=25 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726095044/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/20127259518486684.html |archive-date=26 July 2012 }}</ref></blockquote> ===State funeral=== [[File:Atta Mills Mausoleum, Korle-Klottey (IMG 20230201 133136 1).jpg|thumb|right|Atta Mills' gravestone at the Asomdwee Park, Accra in 2023]] From 8–10 August, his body [[lay in state]], and Ghanaian government officials, civil society, traditional leaders, the clergy, the general public and dignitaries such as Côte d'Ivoire's [[Alassane Ouattara]], Liberia's [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]], Nigeria's [[Goodluck Jonathan]] and Senegal's [[Macky Sall]] paid their last respects. Within this period, a two-night vigil was also held at the forecourt of the State House for cultural and musical performances such as traditional dirges, plays and tribute reading. Thousands streamed into the [[Parliament House of Ghana|State House]] to pay their last respects to Mills as he [[lay in state]] with some mourners queuing for hours, many of them wailing with grief, in lines up to 10 km (6 miles) long per press reports.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-19204106 |title=President John Atta Mills funeral held in Ghana |newspaper=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051701/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-19204106 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |date=10 August 2012 }}</ref> The body was then taken by a military [[cortege]] from the State House parliamentary complex to the Independence Square for the funerary services which was attended by 18 African Heads of State, 5 vice-presidents, United States Secretary of State, [[Hillary Clinton]], former United Nations [[Secretary-General]], [[Kofi Annan]], president of the [[Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace]], [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[Peter Turkson]], [[Secretary-General]] of [[African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States]], [[Mohamed Ibn Chambas]] and several other international envoys. In all, there were 67 foreign delegations represented at the funeral.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/10/world/africa/ghana-funeral-mills/ |title=Ghana mourns as President John Atta Mills is buried |author=the CNN Wire Staff |date=10 August 2012 |work=CNN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805134048/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/10/world/africa/ghana-funeral-mills |archive-date=5 August 2014 }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/08/20128101419431132.html |title=Thousands attend Ghana president's funeral – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926102532/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/08/20128101419431132.html |archive-date=26 September 2012 }}</ref> Ahead of religious ceremonies on Friday morning, the officially declared [[national day of mourning]], a helicopter hovered over the area dropping leaflets reading: ''We want peaceful elections in 2012''.<ref name="modernghana1">{{cite web |date=13 August 2012 |title=How the foreign media carried President Mills burial |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/411289/1/how-the-foreign-media-carried-president-mills-buri.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033212/http://www.modernghana.com/news/411289/1/how-the-foreign-media-carried-president-mills-buri.html |archive-date=11 January 2016 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=ModernGhana}}</ref> The funeral ended with the release of a hundred white doves into the air to signify the peaceful nature of the departed leader.<ref name="modernghana1"/> After the funeral service, the president's body was taken on a military procession through some principal streets of the Ghanaian capital, [[Accra]] and then for burial in a newly created [[President (government title)|presidential]] [[mausoleum]] located in the northern part ([[List of cemeteries in Accra|Asomdwee Park]]) of a bird sanctuary, Geese Park renamed along the Marine Drive and next to the old seat of government, the 17th-century Fort Christiansborg, (also known as [[Osu Castle]]), which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean's [[Gulf of Guinea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19204106 |title=BBC News – President John Atta Mills funeral held in Ghana |publisher=BBC |date=10 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021013124/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19204106 |archive-date=21 October 2012 }}</ref> As the sitting [[Commander-in-Chief]], Mills was accorded full military honours, steeped in distinct and elaborate traditions, including a slow march by the [[Ghana Army]], a [[flypast]] of [[Ghana Air Force]] jets ejecting plumes of smoke in the [[national colours]] of red, gold and green, with the [[Ghana Navy]] ships also performing ceremonial manoeuvres on the shoreline behind the Independence Square and a [[21-gun salute]] accompanying the playing of the bugle call, [[Sunset (bugle call)|''Sunset'']] and the [[Christian hymn]], ''[[Abide with Me]]'' (''Eventide'') synchronized with the sounding of the [[Last Post]] by military buglers after the casket had been lowered into the grave.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 August 2012 |title=Late President Mills To Be Buried With Full Military Honours |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/15229-late-president-mills-to-be-buried-with-full-military-honours |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814145505/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/15229-late-president-mills-to-be-buried-with-full-military-honours |archive-date=14 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Ghana government ghana}}</ref> Approximately 700 domestic and foreign media outlets received accreditation from the Ghanaian Ministry of Information to cover the event.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 August 2012 |title=700 expected to cover Mills' funeral | General News |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=247060 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910153321/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=247060 |archive-date=10 September 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |publisher=Ghanaweb.}}</ref> An estimated 20–25 million television and online or web audience watched the three-day funeral ceremonies. The [[state funeral]] for the late president was most likely the largest gathering of people in one place at a single public event in recent or modern Ghanaian history. ===International reactions=== Following his death, a press statement from the United Nations [[Secretary-General]], [[Ban Ki-moon]] said Mills "will be remembered for his statesmanship and years of dedicated service to his country."<ref>{{cite web |title=World mourns with grieving Ghana as tributes pour in |url=http://www.citifmonline.com/index.php?id=1.979104 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119050610/http://www.citifmonline.com/index.php?id=1.979104 |archive-date=19 January 2013 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Citifmonline.}}</ref> and French President [[Francois Hollande]] described Mills as " the guardian of institutions and the defender of Ghanaian democracy...committed to protecting national unity and profoundly attached to African unity and to the place of Africa within the international community."<ref>{{cite web |author=kwajo |date=26 July 2012 |title=French President François Hollande, Vodafone CEO mourn Mills |url=http://www.ghanatoghana.com/Ghanahomepage/french-president-francois-hollande-vodafone-ceo-mourn-mills |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125052817/http://www.ghanatoghana.com/Ghanahomepage/french-president-francois-hollande-vodafone-ceo-mourn-mills |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Ghanatoghana.}}</ref> A [[White House]] statement from United States President [[Barack Obama]] called Mills a "strong advocate for human rights and for the fair treatment of all Ghanaians, tirelessly working 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"<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|author=Thomas Fessy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18972107 |title=BBC News – Ghana's President John Atta Mills dies |publisher=BBC |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928000150/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18972107 |archive-date=28 September 2012 }}</ref> while Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, [[David Cameron]] praised Mills as "a tireless defender of democracy in West Africa and across the continent"<ref>{{cite web |date=24 July 2012 |title=Prime Minister's statement on the death of President Mills of Ghana |url=http://ukun.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=792510782 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224051742/http://ukun.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=792510782 |archive-date=24 December 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Ukun fco government united kingdom}}</ref> Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Japan, [[Yoshihiko Noda]] lauded Mills for "his exemplary leadership which endeared him to the hearts of many and his contribution to strengthening the relationship between Ghana and Japan."<ref>{{cite web |date=26 July 2012 |title=Japanese Prime Minister mourns Mills |url=http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Social/Japanese-Prime-Minister-mourns-Mills/?ci=4&ai=46772#.UFs2orLN-uA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801021638/http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Social/Japanese-Prime-Minister-mourns-Mills/?ci=4&ai=46772 |archive-date=1 August 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Ghananewsagency.}}</ref> [[FIFA]] President, [[Sepp Blatter]] offered his sympathies to Ghanaians on behalf of the worldwide football fraternity saying, "Ghana has lost a great football supporter and a supporter of the development of the game in the country."<ref>{{cite web |date=29 August 2012 |title=FIFA boss Sepp Blatter pays tribute to Mills | Sports News |url=http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201207/91228.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802014021/http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201207/91228.php |archive-date=2 August 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Sports myjoyonline.}}</ref> In a message of condolence from the Vatican City, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] "recalled Mills' years of public service and his dedication to democratic principles and entrusted the late president's soul to the providence of Almighty God"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gHvSDqVBskbSPok3g8395zWWvQDQ?docId=CNG.287c1c4767b1b1e720aaa6d96dd14bf4.421 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124185631/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gHvSDqVBskbSPok3g8395zWWvQDQ?docId=CNG.287c1c4767b1b1e720aaa6d96dd14bf4.421 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2013 |title=AFP: Pope saddened by Ghana's loss |date=28 July 2012 }}</ref> The [[Secretary General]] of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], [[Kamalesh Sharma]] eulogised Atta Mills by describing him as "an inspiring leader, a strong advocate and champion of the Commonwealth, and our membership benefited enormously from his active participation in Commonwealth life and his wisdom."<ref>{{cite web |date=24 July 2012 |title=Commonwealth Secretariat – Commonwealth Secretary-General mourns death of Ghanaian President |url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/248729/240712sgmournsdeathofghanianpresident.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415223149/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/248729/240712sgmournsdeathofghanianpresident.htm |archive-date=15 April 2013 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Thecommonwealth}}</ref> The West African regional body, [[ECOWAS]] said President Mills' death "has robbed the region of a voice of wisdom which enriched the discussions of the affairs of the Community."<ref>{{cite web |date=25 July 2012 |title=ECOWAS condoles with Ghana over President's death |url=http://www.panapress.com/ECOWAS-condoles-with-Ghana-over-President-s-death--12-836491-100-lang2-index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018052308/http://www.panapress.com/ECOWAS-condoles-with-Ghana-over-President-s-death--12-836491-100-lang2-index.html |archive-date=18 October 2012 |publisher=Panapress.}}</ref> The [[African Union]] through its chairman, [[Yayi Boni]] said "the late President Mills had the same vision as the first President of Ghana, [[Kwame Nkrumah]] and it was a great, great loss for the country and for the continent."<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/tributes/15242-au-chairman-yayi-boni-pays-tribute-to-late-president-mills |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032547/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/tributes/15242-au-chairman-yayi-boni-pays-tribute-to-late-president-mills |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=15 January 2022 |website=www.ghana.government Ghana}}</ref> Liberia's president and 2011 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] laureate [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] extended her condolences to Ghanaians, saying the news had "come as a surprise. On a personal level his moderation and integrity stood out, playing a strong role at the regional meetings they both attended".<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Nigeria's President [[Goodluck Jonathan]] said of Mills: "he was a great friend of our country and a firm believer in the shared heritage and common destiny of all Africans. President Mills and I shared a vision of peace and political stability as well as regional and continental economic integration in pursuit of progress and development, in our individual countries, within the sub-region and in Africa as a whole".<ref>{{cite web|author=Powered by DMflex WebGen --- www.dmflex.com |url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/tribute-to-john-atta-mills/122314/ |title=Tribute to John Atta Mills, Articles |publisher=Thisday Live |date=14 August 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918155055/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/tribute-to-john-atta-mills/122314 |archive-date=18 September 2012 }}</ref> [[South Africa]]n President [[Jacob Zuma]] paid tribute to President Atta Mills, saying: "South Africa and Ghana enjoy strong relations at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, and under President Mills' leadership, we saw genuine efforts aimed at deepening the historical relations between our two nations."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=6523 |title=President Zuma sends condolences on the passing of the President of Ghana |publisher=The Presidency |date=25 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522101159/http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=6523 |archive-date=22 May 2013 }}</ref> ==Selected writings== Mills' more than one dozen publications<ref name="ghananation1"/><ref name="pubs">{{cite web|url=http://www.attamills2008.com/johns_cv.htm |title=''Curriculum Vitae'' |access-date=1 July 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701201728/http://www.attamills2008.com/johns_cv.htm |archive-date=1 July 2007}}, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, 1 July 2007, ''[[Wayback Machine|Internet Archive]]''. Retrieved 3 August 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Misc/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=463 |title=Misc – News |publisher=Idrc.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523141045/http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Misc/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=463 |archive-date=23 May 2013 }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> included: * ''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 – 3'' (1977) * ''Ghana’s Income Tax Laws and the Investor'' (1978) * ''Ghana's New Investment Code: An Appraisal'' (1986) * ''Criminal Law Treatment of Sexual Activity'' * ''The role of the state in the evolution of the family in Anglophone countries of Africa: An overview'' * ''A survey of taxes on the individual in Ghana'' * ''Ghana's wealth tax: Some issues and problems'' * ''Africa in the World'' (2002)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/sites/liu/files/Publications/Africa_in_the_World.pdf |title="Africa in the World". |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523141048/http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/sites/liu/files/Publications/Africa_in_the_World.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2013 }}</ref> * ''NEPAD and New International Relations'' (2002)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/sites/liu/files/Publications/1Oct2002_NEPAD.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523141050/http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/sites/liu/files/Publications/1Oct2002_NEPAD.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 May 2013 |title="NEPAD and New International Relations". }}</ref> * ''The Decline of a Regional Fishing Nation: The Case of Ghana and West Africa'' (2004)<ref>{{cite journal|title=The decline of a regional fishing nation: The case of Ghana and West Africa |doi=10.1111/j.0165-0203.2004.00068.x |volume=28 |journal=Natural Resources Forum |pages=13–21 |year = 2004|last1 = Atta-Mills|first1 = John|last2=Alder |first2=Jackie |last3=Rashid Sumaila |first3=Ussif |issue=1 |bibcode=2004NRF....28...13A }}</ref> ==Memorials and legacy== As [[Head of State]], Mills received the 2009 Glo-CAF Platinum Award for "commitment and contribution to sports and football development in the country."<ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2001 |title=President Mills for CAF Platinum |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=178247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033212/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=178247 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |access-date=3 December 2014 |work=ghanaweb.}}</ref> Mills was posthumously awarded the highest prize as the 2012 ''Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize Laureate on Democratic Governance and Development in Africa''. According to the Prize Committee, the award was in "recognition of his genteel disposition, virtues, devotion and commitment to the enhancement of good Democratic Governance and Development in Ghana and Africa at large. This exaltation of character, which is worthy of emulation, has made positive impact on the lives of his people today and will continue to influence them for a better future. His courageous acts in defence and protection of fairness to all is recognized and respected on the global platform and lend to all Africans the hope that through the values of equity and democracy, we can live in peace and harmony with each other to engender communal development and life's fulfilment. This individual's leadership has had a direct impact on Ghana's success and growth which is cherished by Ghanaians countrywide."<ref>{{cite web |date=12 September 2012 |title=Late President John Evans Atta Mills To Be Honoured Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize on Democratic Governance And Development in Africa |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/information/press-releases/16026-late-president-john-evans-atta-mills-to-be-honoured-lifetime-africa-achievement-prize-on-democratic-governance-and-development-in-africa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024021350/http://ghana.gov.gh/index.php/information/press-releases/16026-late-president-john-evans-atta-mills-to-be-honoured-lifetime-africa-achievement-prize-on-democratic-governance-and-development-in-africa |archive-date=24 October 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Ghana Government}}</ref> At the 2013 ''African Achievers Awards,'' he was also awarded the ''Posthumous Award for Excellence in Africa''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africanachieversawards.net/winners-2013/ |title=Winners: 2013 – AFRICAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS |author=Achievers Media |work=AFRICAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107150251/http://www.africanachieversawards.net/winners-2013/ |archive-date=7 November 2014 }}</ref> in recognition of his achievements and leadership.[[File:J.E. Atta Mills' Bust in GIMPA (Accra).jpg|thumb|Bust of Atta Mills at the John Evans Atta Mills Centre for Law and Governance, GIMPA, Accra]] The [[Institute of International Education]] (IIE) in [[New York City]] also posthumously bestowed on him its highest award, ''The Fritz Redlich Alumni Award''<ref>{{cite web |date=20 September 2012 |title=Late President Mills Honoured |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/16257-late-president-mills-honoured- |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033214/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/16257-late-president-mills-honoured- |archive-date=11 January 2016 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Ghana Government Ghana}}</ref> in recognition of "his distinguished career and exemplary leadership that increased cooperation and understanding between Ghana and the world, and his resolute support for advancing education to prepare an entire generation in Ghana for today's competitive, globalized economy and to honour him as the first ever [[Fulbright Scholar]] to become the [[Head of State]] of an African nation by becoming the [[President of Ghana]]."<ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2001 |title=Late President Mills to be awarded | General News 15 September 2012 |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=250548&comment=0#com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006135936/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=250548&comment=0 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Ghanaweb.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=19 September 2012 |title=International Awards Gala 2012 |url=http://www.iie.org/Who-We-Are/News-and-Events/Press-Center/Press-Releases/2012/09-12-2012-International-Awards-Gala |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917002808/http://www.iie.org/Who-We-Are/News-and-Events/Press-Center/Press-Releases/2012/09-12-2012-International-Awards-Gala |archive-date=17 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Iie.}}</ref> In appreciation of Mills' total commitment to the [[rule of law]] and good governance, the [[Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration]], established ''The John Evans Atta Mills Centre for Law and Governance'' to undertake high quality research and theorisation in law, global governance and public policy.<ref>{{cite web |author=Michael Ofori Amanfo Boateng |title=GIMPA holds 13th congregation |url=http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/education/201312/182299.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031161442/http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/education/201312/182299.php |archive-date=31 October 2014 |access-date=31 October 2014 |publisher=News peacefmonline}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/34394-gimpa-eulogizes-president-mills.html |title=Commissioning of the John Evans Atta Mills Centre for Law and Governance at GIMPA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128185114/http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/34394-gimpa-eulogizes-president-mills.html |archive-date=28 November 2014 |date=26 November 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citifmonline.com/2014/11/27/gimpa-law-governance-center-named-mills/ |title=GIMPA Law and Governance Center named after Mills |author=Efua Idan Osam |work=citifmonline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129233322/http://www.citifmonline.com/2014/11/27/gimpa-law-governance-center-named-mills/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 |date=27 November 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=336695 |title=GIMPA eulogizes President Mills |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126223421/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=336695 |archive-date=26 November 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana inaugurates law centre in memory of late Atta Mills |url=http://en.starafrica.com/news/ghana-inaugurates-law-centre-in-memory-of-late-atta-mills.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205161423/http://en.starafrica.com/news/ghana-inaugurates-law-centre-in-memory-of-late-atta-mills.html |archive-date=5 December 2014 |work=News - StarAfrica.}}</ref> In the wake of his death, Accra High Street was renamed ''John Evans Atta Mills High Street'' by an [[Accra]] Metropolitan Assembly resolution<ref name="adomonline1">{{cite web |date=6 August 2012 |title=Accra's High Street named after President Mills |url=http://www.adomonline.com/index.php/news/general-news/17262-accras-high-street-named-after-president-mills |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812074422/http://adomonline.com/index.php/news/general-news/17262-accras-high-street-named-after-president-mills |archive-date=12 August 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Adomonline.}}</ref> and in [[Cape Coast]] a street linking [[Cape Coast Castle]] to [[Mfantsipim]] Junction was renamed ''President John Atta Mills Street'' by the paramount chief of [[Cape Coast]], Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osaberema Kwesi Arthur.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 September 2012 |title=President Mahama to attend Fetu Afahye | Local News |url=http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201209/93154.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006163448/http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201209/93154.php |archive-date=6 October 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |publisher=Edition myjoyonline}}</ref> Furthermore, for his role in consolidating local development, the [[Suhum, Ghana|Suhum Municipal Assembly]] and the Ga South Assembly named [[bypass road]]s after him.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 September 2014 |title=Suhum Municipal Assembly honours late President Mills |url=http://www.ghananewsagency.org/social/suhum-municipal-assembly-honours-late-president-mills-80443%7cSuhum |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217134718/http://www.ghananewsagency.org/social/suhum-municipal-assembly-honours-late-president-mills-80443%7CSuhum |archive-date=17 February 2017 |work=ghananewsagency.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title=President John Evans Atta Mills By-Pass - |url=http://www.spyghana.com/president-john-evans-atta-mills-by-pass/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213223803/http://www.spyghana.com/president-john-evans-atta-mills-by-pass/ |archive-date=13 December 2014 |access-date=21 October 2014 |publisher=Spyghana.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=331175 |title=Ga Assembly names road after JEA Mills |publisher=Ghanaweb.com |access-date=21 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023045232/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=331175 |archive-date=23 October 2014 }}</ref> Also, the [[Obuasi Municipal District|Municipal Assembly of Obuasi]] honoured Mills by naming a principal street after him in the southern mining town of [[Obuasi]], located in the geographic middle belt of Ghana.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thechronicle.com.gh/obuasi-high-streets-named-after-atta-mills-p-v-obeng-under-assembly-street-naming-exercise/ |title=Obuasi High Streets Named After Atta Mills, P.V. Obeng … Under Assembly Street-Naming Exercise |work=thechronicle.com.gh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914155608/http://thechronicle.com.gh/obuasi-high-streets-named-after-atta-mills-p-v-obeng-under-assembly-street-naming-exercise/ |archive-date=14 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=325504 |title=Obuasi high streets named after Atta Mills, P.V. Obeng |work=ghanaweb.com |date=12 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914160644/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=325504 |archive-date=14 September 2014 }}</ref> whilst the [[Nandom|Nandom Assembly]] honoured Mills by naming a street after him for creating the District in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://regional.citifmonline.com/2014/09/26/nandom-assembly-names-street-after-late-prez-mills/ |title=Nandom Assembly names street after late Prez Mills |author=Godwin Allotey Akweiteh |work=citifmonline.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928091653/http://regional.citifmonline.com/2014/09/26/nandom-assembly-names-street-after-late-prez-mills/ |archive-date=28 September 2014 }}</ref> The New Millennium City School at the [[Salvation Army]] Cluster of Schools was renamed ''President John Evans Atta Mills Educational Centre of Excellence''.<ref name="adomonline1"/> An ICT Centre was also built at Mills' alma mater Huni Valley Methodist Basic School to honour his memory<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.peacefmonline.com/social/201208/128659.php |title=More Donate Towards Late President Mills' Funeral | Peacefmonline.com |publisher=News.peacefmonline.com |date=10 August 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913012132/http://news.peacefmonline.com/social/201208/128659.php |archive-date=13 September 2012 }}</ref> while the [[University of Ghana]], [[Legon]], co-named its [[Faculty of Law]] building after him (and former Dean, Professor [[Akua Kuenyehia]]) in recognition of his contributions to the department as a professor and president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/472827/1/ug-names-law-faculty-building-after-mills-kuenyehi.html |author=Emmanuel Bonney |title=UG names Law Faculty building after Mills, Kuenyehia |work=Graphic Online |publisher=Modern Ghana |date=3 July 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111033212/http://www.modernghana.com/news/472827/1/ug-names-law-faculty-building-after-mills-kuenyehi.html |archive-date=11 January 2016 }}</ref> In 2015, the Ghanaian government named a newly commissioned community day secondary school after Atta Mills in his hometown, Otuam<ref>{{cite web|url=http://citifmonline.com/2015/09/18/otuam-community-shs-named-after-president-mills-photos/ |title=Otuam Community SHS named after President Mills [Photos] |author=Godwin Akweiteh Allotey |work=citifmonline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921114732/http://citifmonline.com/2015/09/18/otuam-community-shs-named-after-president-mills-photos/ |archive-date=21 September 2015 |date=18 September 2015 }}</ref> The Judicial Council of Ghana renamed its largest court complex after Atta Mills in acknowledgement of his contributions as "a true democrat who respected the independence of the Judiciary and worked to promote it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201207/91329.php |title=Judiciary to name court complex after Mills | Local News |publisher=Edition.myjoyonline.com |date=31 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803022116/http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201207/91329.php |archive-date=3 August 2012 }}</ref> Additionally, a research centre known as the ''Kwame Nkrumah-Atta Mills Legacy Institute'' ''(KNAMLI)'' has been set up to study the political ideals of tolerance that President Mills cherished through his non-pursual of partisan retribution as well as his demonstration of a passive response to vitriolic attacks, vindictiveness, violence and insults as preached by global icons like [[Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Martin Luther King Jr.]], [[Kwame Nkrumah]] and [[Nelson Mandela]]. This will act as a living testimony worthy of preservation, emulation and impartation to the youth. The institute is also a think-tank for strategic studies and organisation, in line with Nkrumah's declaration that ''organisation decides everything''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Graphic |first=Daily |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/418343/1/kwame-nkrumah-atta-millslegacy-institute-set-up.html |title=Kwame Nkrumah-Atta MillsLegacy Institute Set Up |publisher=ModernGhana.com |date=18 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019142816/http://www.modernghana.com/news/418343/1/kwame-nkrumah-atta-millslegacy-institute-set-up.html |archive-date=19 October 2013 }}</ref> To mark the 2013 [[World Post Day]], the Ghana Post in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications issued commemorative postal stamps of Atta Mills in appreciation of his "dedication to social justice and political stability."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/mills-commemorative-stamps-launched.html |title=Ghana News, Health, Crime, Education, Events, Local News, Odd News and News Archive homepage - News in Ghana |work=graphic.com.gh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013222259/http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/mills-commemorative-stamps-launched.html |archive-date=13 October 2013 |date=10 October 2013 }}</ref> In honour of his "contribution to the promotion and development of sports in general and hockey in particular", the National Hockey Association launched a yearly multinational hockey gala, the ''John Evans Atta Mills Annual Hockey Tournament''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://graphic.com.gh/Hockey/prof-mills-memorial-hockey-launched.html |title=Prof. Mills memorial hockey launched | Hockey |publisher=Graphic.com.gh |date=23 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804141317/http://graphic.com.gh/Hockey/prof-mills-memorial-hockey-launched.html |archive-date=4 August 2013 }}</ref> Other permanent memorials to institutionalise his legacy include the annual ''Atta Mills Memorial Lectures'', the ''Atta Mills Foundation'' (a humanitarian non-profit organisation) and the ''Atta Mills Memorial Research Library'' affiliated to the [[University of Cape Coast]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201307/109116.php |title=Activities to mark Mills' 1 year anniversary unveiled | Local News |publisher=Edition.myjoyonline.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712214626/http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201307/109116.php |archive-date=12 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/2012-02-08-08-32-47/general-news/1887-first-anniversary-of-late-president-mills-passing |title=First Anniversary of Late President Mills' Passing |publisher=Ghana.gov.gh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014181246/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/2012-02-08-08-32-47/general-news/1887-first-anniversary-of-late-president-mills-passing |archive-date=14 October 2013 }}</ref> In 2014, the Ghanaian government named the country's second [[floating production storage and offloading]] vessel, [[FPSO]] John Atta Mills - as president, he superintended over the first production of Ghana's new-found oil in commercial quantities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana News - Ghana's second FPSO vessel named after Prof. Mills |url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2014/August-26th/ghanas-second-fpso-vessel-named-after-prof-mills.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827065916/http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2014/August-26th/ghanas-second-fpso-vessel-named-after-prof-mills.php |archive-date=27 August 2014 |work=myjoyonline.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana's second FPSO vessel named after Prof. Mills |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=322969 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827135015/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=322969 |archive-date=27 August 2014 |work=ghanaweb.}}</ref> A new girls' boarding house at his alma mater, [[Achimota School]] has been named in his honour. In 2015, a newly constructed community day senior high school at [[Otuam|Ekumfi Otuam]] in the Central Region, was named in honour of Mills in recognition of "his passion in promoting education".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/election2008/Otuam-SHS-to-be-named-after-late-Atta-Mills-372521|title=Otuam SHS to be named after late Atta Mills|website=www.ghanaweb.com|date=2 August 2015|language=en|access-date=29 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429040351/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/election2008/Otuam-SHS-to-be-named-after-late-Atta-Mills-372521|archive-date=29 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2015 |title=Otuam Community SHS named after President Mills [Photos] - citifmonline.com |language=en-US |work=citifmonline. |url=http://citifmonline.com/2015/09/18/otuam-community-shs-named-after-president-mills-photos/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921114732/http://citifmonline.com/2015/09/18/otuam-community-shs-named-after-president-mills-photos/ |archive-date=21 September 2015}}</ref> In July 2019 a seventh anniversary memorial and wreath laying ceremony took place at the Asomdwee Park.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2019 |title=Hundreds mark 7th anniversary of former President Atta Mills |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-hundreds-mark-7th-anniversary-of-former-president-atta-mills.html |access-date=26 July 2019 |website=Graphic Ghana}}</ref> In February 2022, the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage was launched by the National Democratic Congress.<ref name=":2" /> ===John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Lectures=== These lectures were instituted in his memory. At the sixth annual lecture held at [[University of Health and Allied Sciences]] at Ho in April 2022, Joseph Siaw Agyapong disclosed that Mills resisted pressures from within his own party to cripple his business as he was affiliated to the NPP government of John Kufuor as his colleagues wanted retaliation for alleged victimisation during his rule. He instead supported and facilitated the expansion of his business.<ref>{{cite web |title='I won't collapse your business' - What Atta Mills told Jospong |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/I-won-t-collapse-your-business-What-Atta-Mills-told-Jospong-1515188 |website=GhanaWeb |access-date=14 April 2022 |language=en |date=14 April 2022}}</ref> He was called "Asomdwehene" because of acts such as this.<ref name="bbcbio"/> ==See also== * [[List of Mills government ministers]] ==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q51008|c=Category:John Atta Mills|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} {{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[Kow Nkensen Arkaah]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Vice-President of Ghana]]|years=1997–2001}} {{s-aft|after=[[Aliu Mahama]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[John Kufuor]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of heads of state of Ghana|President of Ghana]]|years=2009–2012}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Dramani Mahama]]}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jerry Rawlings]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]] nominee for [[List of heads of state of Ghana|President of Ghana]]|years=[[2000 Ghanaian presidential election|2000]], [[2004 Ghanaian presidential election|2004]], [[2008 Ghanaian general election|2008]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Dramani Mahama]]}} |- {{s-new}} {{s-ttl|title=[[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]] nominee for [[Vice President of Ghana]]|years=[[1996 Ghanaian general election|1996]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[Martin Amidu]]}} {{s-end}} {{Heads of State of Ghana}} {{GhanaVPs}} {{Ghana topics}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Mills, John Atta}} [[Category:1944 births]] [[Category:2012 deaths]] [[Category:Academic staff of the University of Ghana]] [[Category:Alumni of the London School of Economics]] [[Category:Akan people]] [[Category:Fante people]] [[Category:Ghanaian Methodists]] [[Category:Alumni of Achimota School]] [[Category:Alumni of SOAS University of London]] [[Category:Ghanaian legal scholars]] [[Category:National Democratic Congress (Ghana) politicians]] [[Category:Presidents of Ghana]] [[Category:University of Ghana alumni]] [[Category:Vice-presidents of Ghana]] [[Category:20th-century Ghanaian lawyers]] [[Category:Deaths from throat cancer]] [[Category:Deaths from intracranial aneurysm]] [[Category:Fulbright alumni]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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