The former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, has paid tribute to Ghana’s late former President, John Evans Atta Mills, stating that he would have been appalled by the extent of damage caused by illegal mining activities across the country.

Speaking at a memorial lecture on July 22, 2025, Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei stated that the late former President, John Evans Atta Mills, would have been infuriated by the lack of patriotism among some Ghanaians, particularly, citizens who are collaborating with others to cause destruction—not only to the country’s natural resources, but also to the future of its people.

This destruction, she emphasised, stems from the use of toxic chemicals by illegal miners, which continue to pollute water bodies across the country, posing long-term risks to both the environment and public health.

“I have wondered many times, would Prof be happy with us, with me, with the current state of Ghana? I think Prof would be outraged at how we are permitting Galamsey to damage our environments, our bodies, and our future,” she said.

Osei further stated that another issue which would have outraged Professor Mills is the increasingly toxic nature of Ghana’s political climate.

She condemned the way politics has devolved into public attacks, personal insults, and dangerously deep levels of partisanship.

“Prof would be sad at the level of lies and vitriol we held at each other daily in the media, especially online. The rabid partisanship would probably depress him,” Osei noted.

On the things that Professor Mills would have been pleased with, Osei shared that he would have appreciated Ghana’s strong democratic foundation, its peaceful elections, and the manner in which presidential opponents in the 2016 and 2024 elections conceded defeat gracefully—prioritising the nation’s interest over personal gain.

She added that Ghana’s historic achievement of electing its first female Vice President would have made Professor Mills extremely proud.

She believed he would have also taken great satisfaction in the ruling government's policies.

“Prof would also be happy that his wife, his son, and his family are thriving - they are still standing. Prof would be pleased that many of his students and mentees are leading lights in business, in the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. I think Prof would be happy that his political party, the National Democratic Congress, that he made so many sacrifices for, is back in power and seems re-energised, refocused and with many young people involved in party activities,” she said.

“Prof would be particularly elated that we have a first female vice president. He would also be very happy that across the political divide, NPP, NDC, CPP, all of them, we have an influx of young men and women, professionals and academics, embracing public service and politics. He would be happy that in spite of the rabid partisanship, our citizens are still engaged and not passive, and our democracy is still growing. Finally, would be happy that other than a few pockets of unrest, Ghana is generally peaceful.

“Since his departure, there have been two very peaceful and uncontested changes of power democratically in 2016 and 2024. He would be happy that the leading losing candidates in both elections considered beautifully and put the nation ahead of self,” she added.

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