GDEu, GDI pays tribute to President Mills

GaDangme Europe (GDEu) and GaDangme International (GDI) - both, Associations of natives from the Greater Accra Region, in Ghana, living in Europe and the US - in a joint statement paid tribute to the late President of Ghana, Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills.

The statement signed by the two Presidents of the Associations, Nii Tetteh Okoso Mensah (for GDEu) and Nii Martey Sam Dodoo (for GDI) said with a heavy heart the entire members of both organisations join the people of Ghana, world leaders and the world community in mourning the passing away of beloved Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. It continued: “Our thoughts and deep condolences go to his wife of many years, Ernestina Naadu Mills, his son Sam Kofi Atta Mills, and members of his whole family. We pay tribute because he dedicated almost his entire life to serving Ghana and its people - even to the very end. He served Ghana as a sportsman representing not only Achimota School and University of Ghana, but also playing actively in the Ghana national hockey team. He served in sports administration on the Ghana Hockey Association, the National Sports Council of Ghana, and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club. He was a great sportsman, a team player and a great “Phobian.”

The tribute further said the late President was a soft-spoken person but extremely effective lecturer at the University of Ghana and that he served very highly and efficiently as a member of the Ghana Stock Exchange Council, the Board of Trustees of the Ghana Mines Trust and as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. He was also a very much liked Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, and an esteemed President until his passing away and will be very much missed.

The two Associations also indicated in the tribute they appreciate and applaud the great and outstanding contributions President Mills made to the development of Ghana as a nation, especially in this difficult global financial environment. “Leading by example, his voice was always synonymous with reconciliation and national unity. Even under a groaning and intensified challenge on the international scene his faith clearly showed through in his masterpiece response in the rich Fanti idiom, ‘dzi wufie asem’. He will always be remembered for this and many other prudent quotes.”

GDEu and GDI also noted, Ghana has indeed lost a fine President and a patriot who served his nation and its people with great humility and dignity. “We pray that his gentle soul will rest in perfect peace for ever. Our prayers are with the new President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and his entire cabinet in these difficult and trying times. We pray that they will continue to listen to all the people of Ghana and complete the late President’s work by fulfilling the good and creditable aspirations of ‘GaDangmebii’ and ‘GaDangmeli’. May God’s peace and comfort be with all Ghanaians at home and in the diaspora. Throughout this period all Ghanaians will in the spirit of the late President, remain calm in grief. We will show the whole world that we are a dignified people, who know when to stand together, how to love and respect each other,” the statement concluded adding (in the local language): “Atta, Damiri fa due! Atta yaa wo ojogbann, ni Tse Ofe le ahere bo atuu” -