JEAMMH to mark 12th anniversary of Prof. Mills’ passing

The John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage is set to organise a public lecture on Friday, April 19th, at the University of Ghana in honour of the late former president John Evans Atta Mills.

The Heritage was established three years ago by the party and family of the late former president to promote the Atta Mills brand and views on democratic values and human development since his passing 12 years ago.

For the past three years, the Heritage has been organising public lectures, and this year is no exception.

Ahead of this year’s celebration, some key members of the Heritage held a press conference on Thursday, July 11, 2024, to provide a preview of this year’s event. 

Chairman of the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage, Alex Segbefia, revealed plans, as desired by President Mills’ family, to undertake special projects in his name to honour his legacy.

Therefore, on February 1, 2021, Heritage was established to fulfil the legacies, including support for gifted children, sports promotion, and infrastructure development in poor and semi-urban communities, according to him.

He explained that Heritage has, since its establishment, gained NGO status and been duly registered with the Department of Social Welfare.

“We decided to set up a not-for-profit organisation to promote the President John Evans Atta Mills brand and his unique view of strengthening democratic values and human development. On February 1, 2021, the J.E. A. Mills Memorial Heritage was born as that special vehicle. The memorial heritage has since gained NGO status and been duly registered with the Department of Social Welfare,” he said.

Mr. Segbefia disclosed that the late President has left a legacy that has spanned five decades, namely commitment to education, sportsmanship, respect for the political process, and belief in the importance of building productive infrastructure for Ghana’s transformation, as summarised in his family tribute to him.

“The legacy of the late Prof. Mills lives on,” he emphasised.

Chairman Segbefia outlined some of the activities that will be organised to commemorate the anniversary, including the J. E. A. Mills Memorial Annual Commemorative Lectures on Friday, July 19, which will be followed by the wreath-laying ceremony on July 24.

There will also be a launch of five publications on Prof. Mills, a J. E. A. Mills sports tournament, and an award category at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) for the best long-distance student.

He revealed the Memorial Heritage has also developed a five-year strategic plan (2024–2028), which outlines its programme activities and operations for the next five years in the areas of governance, education, and infrastructure.

On July 19, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, the 12th John Evans Atta Mills Commerative Anniversary Lecture will be held. The keynote speaker will be ace journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jr., and will be chaired by former Chief Justice Madam Sophia Akuffo.

A book titled “Atta Mills Around the Regions” will also be launched at the lecture. The book is a compilation of all the lectures delivered in the 16 clustered regions of the country as part of the year-long celebration of the anniversary of the late former President.