News: Ghanian President, John Atta Mills', Funeral

Befitting Burial For a Befitting President

John Atta Mills 68years

In the midst of what can best be described as an unprecedented funeral mood in the country, tributes point to one thing and that is, Ghana first. Indeed, the unprecedented death of Prof. John Atta Mills has brought to the fore one crucial and yet often hidden attribute of Ghanaians, which is love. Unfortunately this has long been relegated to the background, perhaps, due to political expediency. A critical assessment of tributes that poured in from the length and breadth of the country Ghana clearly portrayed Ghanaians as people who see the interest of their nation above all other considerations. In fact, after showering praises on, Prof. Mills, his political opponent, former President J. A. Kufour proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is indeed a true statesman who knows what to do and say in moments like this. At a point Mr. Kufour acknowledged that he is an NPP man but Ghana first. He also indicated his willingness to provide assistance to President Mahama anytime he is called upon. This and other like-minded comments reveal the truth that Ghana can survive with love minus dirty politicking.

Interestingly politicians cannot do without Ghana. Prof. Mills with all the accolade is gone but Ghana lives on. With barely five months to elections, the Mahama administration must work hard to provide the basic necessities for Ghanaians by opening up to cross fertilize ideas from all angels after all, no single hand can embrace a baobab tree. Praising Ghana as a shining example in the sub-region is meaningless until our people in deprived communities stop competing with animals for drinking water which is a basic necessity. The statement by former UN General Secretary Kofi Annan that good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development should not be glossed over by the current administration. The new era must ensure that enforcement and investigation are not only effective and efficient but should as a matter of necessity eschew selective treatment, lawlessness and political persecution of perceived enemies. Other burning issues of global significance are the challenges of a peaceful election come December which was dear to the heart of the late President Mills. If the Mahama administration is able to show some semblance of commitment to drastic reduction of poverty, free expression of divergent views and accommodation of wild criticism, it will be certain that even nursed violent agitation will become less attractive and possibly aborted.

Levine and Perkins said it all when they wrote in 1997 that to understand a tree it is necessary to study both the forest of which is a part as well as the cells and issues that are part of the tree. Prof. Mills proved that he came from God, was nurtured in a disciplined family and perhaps led his nation in a democratic manner. It will therefore be untoward to do anything that could disturb the peace of the nation as we mourn and prepare to go to the polls. The questions to ask ourselves are what have we done or can do for our nation before we die? What will be said of us when we die? And most importantly how will we account to God our deeds on earth on judgement day. Prof Atta Mills, good bye till we meet again hopefully at the right hand side of God our creator.