Rousing Welcome Awaits Professor Mills

Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former Vice President and NDC flag bearer in the 2000 elections, returns for good from his base at the University of British Columbia, Canada on Friday, August 31, 2002, aboard a KLM flight. He will be accompanied by his wife, Ernestina Naadu Mills. The Ghana Palaver newspaper says that an elaborate welcome ceremony has been prepared for the ex-NDC flag bearer who is expected to formally declare his candidacy for the NDC Presidential candidates’ race any time after his arrival.

Professor Mills has already dropped broad hints of his intention to contest for the candidacy, the most recent being his faxed message to press houses in Ghana denying that his family is putting pressure on him not to contest the elections. The Palaver says that teeming supporters will accompany him from the Airport to his Osu Kuku Hill office premises where prayers will be said for his safe return. He will then give a press briefing on his experiences in Canada and his expectations in Ghana to be followed by a Question and Answer session with the Press.

There is also likely to be a small reception for the press and the Professor’s supporters. Activities lined for the Presidential aspirant for the week includes calls on the Founding father of the NDC, the Party’s Chairman and the Party’s Council of Elders. Prof Mills is also expected to attend the Oguaa Fetu Afahye to be held in Cape Coast on Saturday, September 7, 2002. A formal announcement of Prof Mills’ candidature is expected any time after this. In a related development, Prof Mills has learnt that nominations for the NDC’s Presidential candidature race will open in September with the date for the Special National Congress to elect the flag bearer provisionally scheduled for December 7, 2002.