Ecowas Leaders Eulogise Atta Mills

Dec 28, 2012 Samuel Africa News 0

---

ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Quedrago Desire has said that the greatest tribute to the memory of Ghana’s late President Prof. Atta Mills, is for the regional leaders to immortalize his ideals.

Addressing Journalists in Accra, he said “The greatest way is to immortalize his ideals of peace building and demonstrate a passion for Regional Integration which he lived and died” “we will miss his wisdom, his simplicity, tolerance and quality leadership which contributed to the unity and stability of not his country, Ghana our region and the African continent,”

The ECOWAS Commission President was in the Ghanaian capital, last August when the body of late Atta Mills was laid to rest. Quedragaogo was joined other dignitaries in the funeral ceremonies for the departed leader and African statesman.

The ECOWAS Chief described late President Mills as a great leader and democrat who led by example and from whom the region would drew great lessons in democrat governance. As a teacher, he trained many Ghanaians and a number of Africans, Quedraogo recalled.

The ECOWAS President who had earlier sent a condolence message to the Government, people and immediate family of the late Prof. Mills, led a delegation of the Commission and the community institutions to pay their last respects to the departed Ghanaian leaders.

JONATHAN TASKS AFRICAN LEADERS TO EMULATE ATTA-MILLS VIRTUES

 President Goodluck Jonathan has called on African eaders to emulate Examplary leadership qualities of late Ghanaian President, John Atta Mill in his efforts to promoting the essence of democracy. Jonathan also applauded and recommended to emerging democracies on the continent, specifically on the smooth and prompt transfer of President Power to President Dramani Mahama following the death of Atta Mills on July 24. He made the call in a tribute at the funeral rites of Atta Mills at Accra.

Jonathan hailed the significant legacy of stable and enduring democratic institutions of government established and nurtured since 1992 in Ghana.

He described the late Atta Mills as a “dependable leader, an affordable gentleman soft spoken but firm, a self assured man of honour and of intellect who loved his country, his continent his race and who served humanity with all his heart”.

John Atta-Mills did his best as a leaders and servant of his people. “We honour him as a great teacher, administrator and political leader who dedicated his entire life to the service of his country, Africa and humanity.

“The people of Federal Republic of Nigeria joined you in praying that God almighty will grant him eternal rest from his earthly labours” he said.

The President assured the new Ghanaian Head of State, John Mahama and the people of Ghana of Nigeria’s continued brotherly solidarity and friendship.

Jonathan said the late President was a great friend of Nigeria and an affirmed believer in the shared heritage and common destiny of all Africans. Also President Gnassingbe told Benin and the current African Union Chairman Thomas Boni Yayi, described Mills as very passionate about peace in Africa and in the region”.

“Today is my saddest day” said Akua Danso, an 80-years old former teacher who confined to a wheelchair, being pushed by her grandson. “I have seen President come and go but he was the best. He was very humble. I wish I had the opportunity to meet him while he was still alive. Just to tell him that he was a gem” he told AFP.

A NEW Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in Accra for the burial, reports that 16 Heads of state, five Vice Presidents and other high powered international dignitaries attended the funeral and burial service of the late president at Accra Stadium.

Among the dignitaries were the US Secretary of stat Hillary Clinton Mills died on July 24, as a result of an illness came as a shock to many Ghanaians, despite rumours that he suffered from throat cancer.

Mills death was just five months ahead of the presidential poll in which he was to seek Re-election.

---