The Executive Director of the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has called on Ghanaians to embrace and uphold the enduring values of peace, integrity, and moral leadership exemplified by the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
Speaking at a solemn wreath-laying ceremony held on Thursday, July 24, at Asomdwee Park to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the former president’s passing, Nana Oye described Mills as a leader whose character stood out in a time of political cynicism.
“At a time when political integrity seemed like an oxymoron, Professor Mills stood out as a beacon of moral leadership. His integrity was not situational; it was absolute,” she said.
She emphasized that Mills’ legacy extended beyond politics, citing his deep commitment to peace, which she defined not as passive calm, but as the presence of justice, understanding, and mutual respect.
Nana Oye reflected on how the late president’s values shaped both his personal and public life:
“His approach to family life became the same guiding approach in his presidency. Reputation is built in silence—and it lasts longer than applause.”
Highlighting his contributions to Ghana’s legal and governance landscape, she noted that Professor Mills, as a legal scholar and mentor, played a pivotal role in shaping a generation of ethical legal professionals and advancing national development through his Better Ghana Agenda.
“This was not a mere campaign slogan but a comprehensive framework for national development,” she added.
Professor John Evans Atta Mills, who passed away on July 24, 2012, remains the only sitting president in Ghana’s history to have died while in office. A respected academic, legal expert, and statesman, he served as President from 2009 until 2012, after earlier serving as Vice President under President Jerry John Rawlings from 1997 to 2001.
He was widely revered for his humility, integrity, and unwavering dedication to national unity, qualities that continue to inspire political and civic discourse in Ghana.
