WORLD LEADERS MOURN GHANA'S MILLS

Ghana President John Atta Mills has died after being taken ill, the presidency announced July 24, 2012, but details of his death remained unclear. World leaders were united in sending their condolences to Ghanaians following the president's sudden death. FILE

By www.africareview.com
Posted Wednesday, July 25 2012 at 11:19

World leaders were united in sending their condolences to Ghanaians following the sudden death of President John Atta Mills Tuesday.

US President Barack Obama, who hosted Mr Mills at the Oval Office in March, praised him as a "good leader who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people in the midst of challenging global circumstances".

President Obama noted that under Mr Mills’ presidency, the partnership between the US and Ghana had deepened with the promotion of good governance and economic development.

"On behalf of the American people, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the people of Ghana, and reaffirm the deep and enduring bonds between our democracies that President Mills helped to strengthen," he said.

President Obama visited Ghana in 2009, his only trip yet to sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said that he "received with shock and immense sadness the news of the passing of President John Atta Mills of Ghana".

In a statement, he extended condolences on behalf of himself, his government and the people of Nigeria to the Mills family and to the people of Ghana and praised the former President's efforts in carrying forward the process of democratic consolidation and socio-economic development in Ghana.

President Jonathan said Mr Mills did his best to carry forward the process of democratic consolidation and socio-economic development in Ghana and that he expected that the excellent relationship between the two countries would continue to be strengthened under the new leadership in Ghana.

Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said the news had come as a surprise. "On a personal level his moderation and integrity stood out," she said.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma also sent his condolences.

"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," he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron also sent a message of condolence to Ghanaians:

"I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of President Mills earlier today. President Mills was a tireless defender of democracy in West Africa and across the continent, and he will be greatly missed."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that he was saddened by the news of the demise of Mr Mills.

In a statement through his spokesperson, he offered his heartfelt condolences to the late leader’s family and to the government and people of Ghana and said that Mr Mills would be remembered for “his statesmanship and years of dedicated service to his country.”

Mr Ban re-affirmed 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.

Former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kofour also mourned the fallen leader's death saying that he was “deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing away of President John Evans Atta Mills".

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga also sent condolence messages.