At the 13th John Evans Atta Mills Anniversary Commemorative Lecture held in Accra, former Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, paid a heartfelt tribute to the late president, extolling his legacy as a symbol of peace, humility, and principled leadership in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
Delivering his remarks as Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Debrah described the former president as “a colossal figure whose impact was felt and expressed,” and a leader whose personal virtues and governance style should serve as a blueprint for future generations.
“Every year, we are fortunate that this commemorative lecture presents us the opportunity to learn a piece of a leader who once lived and impacted many lives,” Mr. Debrah said. He reflected on the late president’s 81st birthday and Ghana’s 68th year of independence, drawing a parallel between national introspection and personal legacy.
He emphasized that Professor Mills’ presidency exemplified accountability, tolerance, humility, and inclusive leadership. Quoting former President John Mahama, Mr. Debrah recalled the late leader’s achievement of 14% economic growth during his administration—an era marked by both oil and non-oil sector gains.
Referencing the foundation principles of the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage—integrity, excellence, passion, inclusivity, and humility—Mr. Debrah praised the enduring relevance of these ideals in today’s political climate. “Our people silently call for patriotism and not the politics of petty partisan divisions,” he said, adding that Mills’ leadership offered a rare blend of democratic conviction and moral strength.
Mr. Debrah also offered personal reflections, recalling how a promise by the late president to appoint him as Assistant Regional Minister was later fulfilled by President Mahama. This, he said, was a testament to Mills’ integrity and humility.
He praised this year’s keynote speaker, Madam Charlotte Osei, a former student of Professor Mills, as someone uniquely positioned to reflect on the topic, “Atta Mills: A Case Study for the Fourth Republic.”
Concluding his address, Mr. Debrah described the late president as “a hybrid of the old order and the future we aspire,” and called on the nation to raise “generations of many Atta Mills” who embody servant leadership and principled governance.
