The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, believes that, as a stateman, the late President Atta Mills left an indelible imprint on the consciousness of most Ghanaians and is a ray of hope for generations yet unborn.
She disclosed this on July 19, 2024, when the John Evans Atta Mill Memorial Heritage (JEAMMH), a non-profit, nonpartisan organisation established to promote the former late President, organised his 12th anniversary commemorative lecture at the University of Ghana.
The theme chosen for this year’s lecture was “The Man John Evans Atta Mills, 12 Years On.”
Prof. Amfo said that the late Professor and President spent most of his adult life at the university, impacting knowledge, mentoring others, and shaping lives, hence the propriety of the venue for this year’s lecture.
“The late president Atta Mills spent a great deal of his adult life here at this university, impacting knowledge, mentoring others, and shaping lives. It was therefore appropriate that the lecture be held on the university campus,” she said.
While thanking JEAMMH for the opportunity to host the lecture, she expressed the hope that attendees will learn valuable lessons from Professor Mills’ exemplary life.
“It is therefore appropriate that you have chosen this very place to host this lecture. It is my sincere hope that you will not only participate in this anniversary lecture but that you will depart from here with useful lessons from the exemplary life of our fallen hero, Professor John Evans Atta Mills,” she added.
The Vice Chancellor urged Ghanaians to emulate the kindness, patriotism, and unity exhibited by the former president, inspiring them to pursue excellence in their academic and public service careers.
“I wish to ask that the commemoration lecture serve as an exhortation to all Ghanaians to work in unison, set aside the differences amongst Ghanaians, and strive to build a great nation for future generations.”
The managing editor of the Insight newspaper, who was the guest speaker at the lecture, Kwesi Pratt Jr., described the late President as a man full of peace and statemanship who exhibited severally his commitment to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.
He said even though the late President lost the 2000 elections to the NPP’s John Agyekum Kuffour, he still displayed excellent qualities of a leader who cherished the peace of his country and was fully committed to democracy.
Kwasi Pratt Jr. stated that Prof. Mills was the kind of leader who was honest and didn’t condone bribery and corruption.
He recounted efforts by President Mills to fight the menace of corruption, albeit being “fustrated” by the judiciary and other state actors.
“We can count the number of committees of inquiry he set up to investigate alleged wrongdoing and the prosecution of some known faces. The problem was that he was fustrated by the judiciary and other state institutions at every term.”
He argued that “the incoming Mahama administration would not have it easy to prosecute wrongdoers in the Nana Akufo-Addo administration,” citing the packing of the judiciary by the president with people aligned with the ruling party.
According to him, the focus of the “incoming Mahama administration” must be to make lives better for the ordinary Ghanaian rather than pursue court trials of officials of the ruling government.
Mr. Pratt further urged constitutional reforms aimed at establishing a continental union of African countries and giving the African people control over their own resources.
He also chided the present government for the high cost of living, as evidenced by peaking inflation rates and the deteriorating standard of living of ordinary people.
Chairman of the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage, Alex Segbefia, outlined a number of activities to mark the 12th anniversary of the passing of Prof. Mills, including a wreath-laying ceremony, a hockey tournament, regional lectures, and a book launch.
“The NDC Party, in collaboration with the JEAMMH, will commemorate the exact date on which President John Evans Atta Mills died, the 24th of July 2024, next Wednesday, with a wreath-laying ceremony at Asomdwee Park, where his remains are interred, at 9 a.m. prompt. All are duly invited. It is always a solemn ceremony that re-ignites the depth of loss we have suffered as a nation with the passing of this true patriot.”
“On Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 8.30 a.m. at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra, the President John Evans Atta Mills Hockey Tournament will take place to climax the 12th Anniversary Celebrations.”
“As part of the 10th Anniversary Celebrations, lectures were held in all 16 regions of Ghana in 5 clusters. All the lectures have now been compiled in a book titled “Atta Mills Around the Regions.” The book will be reviewed and launched today by Prof. Ransford Gyampo of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, who is also the President of the University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG),” Mr. Segbefia disclosed.
*****
Never miss out on the news. Get your valuable breaking news and other vital content by following The Sikaman Times on WhatsApp Channel
*****
