The Ghana Employers Association (GEA) on Wednesday said it had received with great shock and grief news of the death of President John Evans Atta Mills.

An official statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr. Terence R. Darko, the President, said “this is the first time in the history of Ghana that a sitting President has passed away and the GEA on behalf of all Employers would like to express our deepest condolences to the former First Lady, the bereaved family and the Government and people of Ghana”.

The GEA said it was its highest expectation that Ghana would remain united during the difficult period in its democratic process.

“On behalf of all Employers in Ghana, the GEA would like to once again extend its sympathy to the former First Lady, the bereaved family and the Government and people of Ghana. May the soul of our departed President rest in perfect peace,” it added.

Former President Mills died on Tuesday afternoon at the 37th Military Hospital.**