Ghana is in a state of mourning as President John Evans Atta Mills passed away suddenly on Tuesday.He died at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra on Tuesday afternoon, according to a press statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Mr John Henry Martey Newmann released by the Ministry of Information.
The statement read: "It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we announce the sudden death of the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Evans Atta Mills.
"The death occurred at the 37 Military Hospital this afternoon while receiving medical attention after being taken ill a few hours earlier.
“The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, will broadcast to the nation in due course."
The President returned from a medical checkup in the US last month declaring that he had been given a clean bill of health by his doctors.
The Speaker of Parliament, Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, has summoned all members of the House to an emergency sitting at 1800 hours for the swearing in of the Vice President in accordance with Article 60 (6) of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around the Parliament house, with soldiers and police details taking positions at vantage points.
The mood in Parliament is sombre, with many expressing disbelief at the turn of events, whilst others congregate in groups discussing passionately the demise of the President.
Reports from across the country say people have been wailing since the news broke in the afternoon.
Shocked shop owners, drivers, civil servants, market women and members of the public could be seen making telephone calls to friends and family members as well as politicians to confirm the sad news.
President Mills celebrated his 68th birthday only last Saturday, July 21.
Traders at the Accra Tema Lorry Station broke down in tears when it was announced that President Mills had passed away.
The traders, mostly women, cried their hearts out saying they did not believe the President had died.
Political parties have been sending messages of condolence to the bereaved family.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) statement said: “The party has heard with deepest regret the news of the death of the President, John Evans Atta Mills.
“We join the nation in mourning this sad loss to Ghana and extend to his wife and family, our deepest condolences. We also extend our condolences to the National Democratic Congress,” Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, NPP National Chairman told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.
President Mills, who passed away on Tuesday, was known as a “man of Peace”.
He was the Vice President of Ghana under the second NDC government from 1997-2000.
He contested the presidential election in 2000 but lost to President John Agyekum Kufuor in the second round of the vote.
The tax expert and law professor was born on July 21, 1944 at Tarkwa and is married to Naadu.
He attended Achimota School, University of Ghana, Legon, London School of Economics and Political Science (LL M), and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (Ph.D)
He was chosen by President Jerry John Rawlings as his running mate in 1996 and the ticket won the election for him to become Vice President.
