OBAMA mourns with Ghana
World leaders including United States President Barack Hussein Obama and corporate organisations have sent messages of condolence in solidarity of Ghana’s loss of its sitting President.
President Obama said, “It was with great regret that I learned of the passing of President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana.”
ript>He recounted his visit to the country three years ago, “I will always remember my trip to Ghana in 2009, and the hospitality that President Mills and the people of Ghana showed to me, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and our entire delegation. I was also pleased to host President Mills in the Oval Office earlier this year.”
According to President Obama, President Mills tirelessly worked to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people; “He helped promote economic growth in Ghana in the midst of challenging global circumstances and strengthened Ghana’s strong tradition of democracy”, he said.
Obama explained that the United States and Ghana have deepened their partnership in the promotion of good governance and economic development under the leadership of President Mills.
UN Secretary General
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, is saddened by the death of H.E. John Atta Mills, late President of the Republic of Ghana. He offers his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and to the Government and people of Ghana.
In a statement issued by the Secretary-General’s office in New York he stated, “President Mills will be remembered for his statesmanship and years of dedicated service to his country.”
“At this time of national mourning, the Secretary-General renews the commitment of the United Nations to work alongside the Government and the people of Ghana in support of their efforts to consolidate the country’s democratic and development achievements.”
Japanese Prime Minister Grieves with Ghana
Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, was also one of the world leaders who were among the first to send their condolences to Ghanaians for the loss of their President, “On receiving the unexpected news of the demise of H.E Professors John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana, on behalf of the Government of Japan and its people, I express heartfelt condolences to the Government of Ghana and its people,” he said.
Mr. Noda confirmed that the late President Mills contributed a lot to strengthen the Japan-Ghana relationship through various occasions.
Kufour Sends Condolences
“I am deeply shocked and saddened at the passing away of President John Evans Atta Mills, third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana”. John Agyekum Kufour said of the immediate past Ghanaian President.
He said, “It is a great loss to Ghana and the whole nation is in mourning. My heart goes out to his wife, Naadu, his immediate family, and the rest of the nation”.
He urged all Ghanaians to hold together as one people in this time of grief “and let our common love for country and humanity guide us,” he added.
Pharmaceutical Society Of Ghana
In a condolence message signed by James Ohemeng Kyei, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), he stated, “The PSGH has received with profound shock and sorrow the sudden passing of our President, His Excellency Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Ghana has indeed lost a great and illustrious son and leader.”
The association extended their heartfelt sympathy to the wife of the late President, Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills. “Our Hearts and thoughts are with his affable wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Ernestina Naadu Mills, son, entire family and Government during these difficult times,” the statement read.
Nduom Mourns
Progressive People’s Party (PPP) flag-bearer, Dr. Paa Kwesi-Nduom, has added his voice to the list of leaders who have expressed their grief at the death of President John Mills.
“Today, our nation is overwhelmed with sorrow. We may never understand why our leader has been called to God so soon,” he said.
“We must set aside our personal, political and religious differences as we join hands and mourn this national tragedy as one strong Ghanaian nation,” stated Dr. Nduom.
He has also indicated his intention to suspend his political campaign for President Mills with immediate effect. “I am reflecting on the fleeting nature of life with my friends and family,” he said.
Abu Sakara
The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party, Dr Abu Sakara, has called on Ghanaians to pray to God to provide a safe haven for the soul of President Mills.
“On behalf of the CPP, I express our deep sorrow at the demise of President John Atta-Mills.
“I want to send my deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and loved ones of President John Evans Atta Mills. We in the CPP, also share with fellow Ghanaians the great loss of a committed servant of the people. May we honour his contribution to our nation by ensuring a peaceful and calm transition in the upcoming elections,” Dr Abu Sakara said.
Great Consolidated Popular Party
A condolence message signed by Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey, for the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), stated, “President Mills tirelessly worked to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people. He helped promote economic growth in Ghana in the midst of challenging global circumstances and strengthened Ghana’s strong tradition of democracy.”
According to him, “under his leadership, Ghana won the war on macro Economic indicators, qualified for all the criteria for the Eco-ECOWAS and the promotion of good governance and economic development.”
COMOG
The Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana (COMOG) has sent its condolence message on the tragic death of President Evans Atta Mills.
“As we mourn the death of Professor Mills, COMOG will like to entreat all and sundry to remember in prayer, the immediate and external families of the late President, the good and peace-loving people of Ghana as we go through these difficult and trying moments as a people,” Issah Adam, the General Secretary of the group stated.
PPP Women
The Women’s wing of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has described President Mills’ death as a blow, “This is a blow to all of us despite our political differences,” they stated in their message of condolence
“We are indeed saddened by this unfortunate event. As a nation, we doubt if we ever thought of such an event and believe we were not prepared for it.”
They expressed particular concern about the welfare of the Late President’s wife, Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills: “Yes, we are very devastated, but we cannot begin to imagine what the First Lady, Naadu Mills, is going through. While we are mourning the death of our leader, colleague, and friend, she is doing all that and most importantly, mourning her life partner,” they stated.
WiLDAF Ghana
Women in Law and Development in Africa, WiLDAF, are among the numerous organizations which have expressed their grief at the death of President Mills.
“WiLDAF Ghana wishes to express the heartfelt condolences of its Network members, Board and Staff to his wife, Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills and family, the National Democratic Congress and the entire Nation,” the condolence message signed by the association’s Communications & Advocacy Officer, Mercy C. Adjabeng, stated.
“As we mourn our Late President, we call on all Ghanaians to stand united and be circumspect in this moment of great loss and pain to protect our peace and democracy,” WiLDAF stated.
Catholic Bishops
In a statement signed by Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu and Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Afriyie, both the President and Secretary General of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference respectively, the Catholic organization expressed its sadness at the news of the death of President Mills: “We, members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the entire Catholic Church in Ghana have received the sad and shocking news of the demise of H.E. John Evans Atta Mills, the President of our dear Nation,” stated the organization.
“We call on all Ghanaians to be united and remain focused in this hard moment. We stand in fervent prayer asking that the God of all Mercy may grant the soul of our beloved President eternal rest and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” they stated.
NPP Holland
The NPP-Holland said it was joining the entire party branches around the world with heavy and painful hearts to express their shock to the sudden death of Ghana’s President John Evans Atta Mills.
“Indeed Ghana has lost a president, the National Democratic Congress has lost a leader and a family has lost a husband,” said F. Kobby Annan, spokesperson of the NPP branch in Holland.
NPP Germany
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Germany said it has learnt with shock and surprise the sudden death of His Excellency John Evans Atta-Mill, President of the Republic of Ghana.
“On this sad occasion, NPP Germany would want to join millions of Ghanaians around the world in expressing our deepest sorrows and sympathy to his wife and the entire bereaved family,” stated the group’s Director of Communications, Kwaku Anane-Gyinde.
“Our deepest condolences also go to our brothers and sisters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and wish them God’s strength at this difficult time”, the statement read.
GHALCA expresses shock
The Ghana League Club Association of Ghana has also sent a message to eulogize the passing of the sitting President, John Evans Atta Mills, “The Executive Council, Management and Staff of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) has learnt with Shock the sudden death of our President, H.E John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills,” stated Karim Kudayah who signed the letter of condolence.
“We urge Ghanaians to remain calm and united in this trying time in the history of our dear country,” GHALCA stated.
Source : dailyguideghana.com
