We are shocked and saddened by the death of
His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills. The announcement of his
death was nothing less of a surprise and a blow to a nation that is
continually trying to surmount immense developmental challenges.
President Mills led Ghana on a path that he best judged as one that
could propel the country he loved forward. He did his bit, but now he is
gone.
We have been overwhelmed with
Ghana’s heartfelt response to the death of President Mills. The words
fine academic, religious, hardworking and peace-loving are most often
used to describe him. Some mention humility and we should not mistake
that for timidity. President Mills brought the “GOOD MAN” syndrome to
Ghana’s politics.
So on the event of his death;
we are shaken, here at Ghana Decides. Ghana’s future is opened up again
and we are thinking of the shape it will take. We cannot believe that
the man we had various expectations about had eluded all of us and made
it to “behind the seas where no one has seen.” That alone is heavy for
us all and we are uncertain what next to do with regards to our plans
for the sitting Government. President Mills has changed everything once
again – and for the last time.
Consequently, the quick
turnaround the nation has made, in terms of transition by swearing in
Vice President John Dramani Mahama as President, is impeccable. We, at
Ghana Decides, are not surprised as we have found in our interactions
both online and offline with Ghanaians across the country, that people
are committed to ensuring that peace and stability is maintained.
Nonetheless, the peaceful and unified transition should be noted and
celebrated. Ghana continues to hold the peace and uphold its
constitution.
We therefore mourn the man we
all loved, castigated, laughed with and wished well. If we ever forget
how he lived, we would do well to play one audio clip from his addresses
to Parliament and turn around with a “gargantuan” smile and say: There
was the man who loved this country more than himself.
