Most government offices inactive following Presidents Mills' death

Work at some Government offices in Accra has come to a standstill, following the demise of President John Evans Atta Mills on July 24 at the 37th Military Hospital.

A visit to some Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the capital city on Wednesday morning by Ghana News Agency (GNA), indicated that the usual busy environment at the offices was absent with some of the workers dressed in black or red to show that they were in mourning mode.

Most of the ministers of state were not at post as GNA enquiries revealed that they were engaged in emergency meetings at the Osu Castle, seat of Government, and headquarters of the National Democratic Congress.

Ms. Roberta Arkins, official at the Ministry of Communications, told the GNA that: “our Minister is devastated following the news of the death of President Mills...we are still shock and cannot concentrate on work.

“Both men and women here are beyond themselves...it’s an unfortunate event and we all as a nation need to join hands and move forward in the interest of Ghana”.

Ms. Pamela Offeibea Amoateng, a Banker, expressed surprise at the sudden death of the President, and said: “though the president’s health has been in the public domain for some time now, the news was unexpected”.

He called for total support for the new President and other state machinery, to ensure that the act of government is not unduly interrupted.

An official statement signed by the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Mr. John Henry Martey Newman, said: "it is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we announce the sudden untimely death of the President of the Republic of Ghana - His Excellency, John Evans Atta Mills.

"The death occurred at the 37th Military Hospital this afternoon while receiving medical attention after being taken ill a few hours ago."**