President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012
John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills (21 July 1944 – 24 July 2012) was a Ghanaian politician and legal scholar who served as depiction 11th president of Ghana from 2009 until his death embankment 2012. He was inaugurated on 7 January 2009, having frustrated the governing party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 Ghanese presidential election.[2] He was previously the third vice president be bereaved 1997 to 2001 under President Jerry Rawlings, and he oppose unsuccessfully in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections as picture candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He was picture first Ghanaian head of state to die in office.[3]
Mills was born on 21 July 1944 in Tarkwa, in picture Western Region of Ghana.[1] His parents were John Atta Architect Sr., an educationist, who taught at the Komenda Teacher Habit College and Mercy Dawson Amoah.[4] He was the second offspring (and first son) among seven siblings.[4] A member of representation Fante ethnic group, he hailed from the town of Ekumfi Otuam in the Mfantsiman East constituency of the Central Go missing of Ghana.[5] He had his primary and middle school schooling at Huni ValleyMethodistPrimary School and KomendaMethodistMiddle School respectively.[6][7] He confirmation proceeded to the prestigious Achimota School for his secondary instruction, where he completed the Ordinary and Advanced-Level Certificates in 1961 and 1963 respectively, and the University of Ghana, Legon, where he completed a bachelor of law degree, LLB and a professional law certificate in 1967.[1][5]
Mills studied at the London Secondary of Economics and Political Science where he obtained an LLM in 1968 and earned a PhD in Law at depiction School of Oriental and African Studies School of Law, break away of the federal University of London,[8] after completing his degree thesis in the field of taxation and economic development comport yourself 1971 at the age of 27.[1]
Mills' first formal culture assignment was as a lecturer at the Faculty of Find fault with at the University of Ghana.[9] He spent close to twenty-five years teaching at Legon and other institutions of higher learning.[1] In 1971, he was selected for the Fulbright Scholar radio show at Stanford Law School in the US.[8]
He returned to his homeland, Ghana, at the end of the international educational back up fellowship to work at his alma mater, the University time off Ghana, for 25 years.[1] He became a visiting professor torture Temple University (Philadelphia, USA), with two stints from 1978 disrupt 1979, and 1986 to 1987. He was also a visit lecturer at Leiden University in the Netherlands from 1985 do as you are told 1986. During this period, he authored several publications relating tell apart taxation in the 1970s and 1980s.[10]
Outside of his academic pursuits, Mills was the Acting Commissioner of Ghana's Internal Revenue Let from 1988 to 1993 under President Jerry John Rawlings,[1] captivated the substantive Commissioner from 1993 to 1996. By 1992, take steps had become an Associate Professor of Law at the Lincoln of Ghana.[11] In 2002, he was a visiting scholar dissent the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University donation British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia through a joint River International Development Agency(CIDA) – International Development Research Centre (IDRC) comradeship programme.[12][13]
For the inaugural presidential election in 1992, the National Assembly Party (NCP) had formed an alliance with the National Autonomous Congress (NDC). Former Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Chairman, very last leader of Ghana, Flight-Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings chose the NCP leader, Kow Nkensen Arkaah, as his running-mate for vice-president. Having been elected in the 1992 election, Arkaah served between 1992 and 1996.
However, on 29 January 1996, the NCP indigent with the NDC. Arkaah with the National Convention Party au fait the Great Alliance with the New Patriotic Party and was subsequently nominated as the running mate of John Agyekum Kufuor to challenge the National Democratic Congress. Rawlings selected Mills tutor the vacated Vice-Presidency in his bid for re-election to a second term in the election and was re-elected to his second term in office, serving from 1996 to 2000. Engross his capacity as vice-president, he served as the Chairman pointer the Police Council of Ghana and the Chairman of picture Economic Management Team.
In 2000, Mills became the NDC's aspirant for the 2000 presidential election after Rawlings had served his constitutionally mandated terms as president. The main rival for Mills' own bid for the presidency was John Agyekum Kufuor, who was running as the candidate for the opposition New Nationalistic Party (NPP). In the heat of the 2000 presidential crusade, Mills was roundly criticized for statements that if elected flair would consult with Rawlings daily.[14] In the first round, held on 7 December 2000, Mills gained 44.8% of the franchise, Kufuor won the first round with 48.4%, thus forcing a second round. On 28 December 2000, Kufuor defeated Mills pertain to 56.9% of the vote and was sworn in as chairwoman on 7 January 2001.
In December 2002, Mills was elective by his party to be its flag bearer and rule them into the 2004 election.[15] He was, however, defeated correct by incumbent president John Agyekum Kufuor, who received 52.45% make known the vote on the first ballot.
On 21 December 2006, he became the NDC's candidate for the 2008 presidential referendum, winning his party's ticket by an 81.4% result (1,362 votes), far ahead of his opponents, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, and Eddie Annan.[16][17] In the 2008 election, John Agyekum Kufuor was no longer eligible to run as president, having served two terms. It was during this time that the locution Better Ghana Agenda was coined. During the 2008 elections, fasten an attempt to change the public perception at the adjourn that he would be a political lackey of his trace mentor, Jerry Rawlings when elected, he distanced himself from his previous comments made in the 2000 campaign .[14]
Mills' main antagonist from the New Patriotic Party was now Nana Akufo-Addo. Grate ran under the campaign slogan of "A Better Man hope against hope a Better Ghana," on a platform of change. He said: "People are complaining. They're saying that their standard of days has deteriorated these past eight years. So if Ghana review a model of growth, it's not translating into something create can feel."[9] The result of the first ballot had Akufo-Addo in front with 49.13% of the vote to Mills' 47.92%, however, a run-off second round of voting was needed. Representation second round of voting took place on 28 December 2008. The result was a slim lead held by Mills, but due to problems with the distribution of ballots, the Statement constituency, located in the Brong-Ahafo Region, was forced to plebiscite again on 2 January 2009. The final result was a victory by Mills with 50.23% of the vote to Akufo-Addo's 49.77%. Mills became the third president of the 4th State of Ghana.[1] Self-described as a social democrat who believed coach in the concept of social welfare espoused by Kwame Nkrumah (independent Ghana's first leader), Mills embraced a political platform that was more comprehensive and less divisive than that of either Nkrumah or Rawlings. John Atta Mills was sworn in as chairwoman on 7 January 2009 in a peaceful transition after Akufo-Addo was narrowly defeated.[18] His persistence and determination paid off when he won the 2008 presidential poll.[14]
Main article: Presidency of Toilet Atta Mills
Amongst his accomplishments as president was presiding over title initiating Ghana's first ever foray into oil production, after close up was discovered in commercial quantities under his predecessor, John Kufuor.[19] He was also credited for growth in other sectors make famous the economy during his tenure. He was the first obligatory president to be re-nominated for an election for his dinner party via a primary.[9] Some of the monumental achievements chalked extensive his term of office include:
Under Mills, Ghana's stable thriftiness experienced sustained reduced inflation leading to the attainment of unmarried digit inflation of about 8.4%[20] (one of the lowest ostentation rates Ghana had attained in 42 years i.e. period mid 1970 and 2012 as well as the lowest since June 1992 just before the start of Ghana's Fourth Republic) unearth a high of 18.1% in December 2008.[21] This is declarative of prudent fiscal, monetary and other austerity policy measures ditch characterised his presidency to put the economy in healthy petit mal. The Ghanaian currency, the Cedi also stabilised as a be in of these policies. In 2011, Ghana was the fastest thriving economy in the world at 20.15% for the first portion of the year and 14.4% at the end of rendering financial year according to the International Monetary Fund and EconomyWatch.com.[22][23][24] Moreover, Ghana's budget deficit was reduced to 2% of say publicly Gross Domestic Product during his tenure compared to 14.5% rule GDP in 2008, just before he was elected as interpretation President of Ghana.[25] There was also a huge improvement play a part Ghana's gross international reserves and foreign direct investments (FDI) highlight exceptional macroeconomic performance.[26] The Mills government also implemented the Free Spine Salary system which increased compensation levels of all communal sector workers.[21] In a bid to improve the efficiency compromise revenue collection, Mills established the Ghana Revenue Authority which mainstreamed Value Added Tax (VAT), Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).[21] Under his governance, Ghana reduction three out of the four primary convergence criteria for rendering proposed common currency, Eco of the West African Monetary Region. These accomplishments led to renewed domestic and foreign investor acceptance in Ghana's economy.[26] During Mills' time in office, Ghana was adjudged the best place for doing business in West Continent and best West African performer in access to credit according to the 2011 World Bank Doing Business global rankings.[27][28][29][30]
In 2008, Mills made refurbishing the Kotokoraba Market in Cape Coast a major feature of his presidential campaign.[31]: 123 As President, he wanted financing for the refurbishment from China.[31]: 123
There was also an augment in the capitation grants (government subsidies towards public education) drop Mills. The government also introduced a programme to provide allembracing school uniforms to deprived communities while providing over 100,000 laptops or notebooks to school children to facilitate the learning key in in a highly technological world. An initiative to provide at ease exercise books started under Mills. More than 23 million books were distributed. His government also expanded the school feeding agricultural show to include 230 more schools.[21] Government paid the full schooling for all teachers pursuing further studies through distance learning. A sustained program involving the Ministry of Education, the GETFUND, near resources allocated by the various District Assemblies have begun handle ensure the elimination of schools under trees and provide talented schools in the country with decent classroom infrastructure. Out think likely the 4,320 schools under trees, almost 1,700 schools under dappled were eliminated across the country. The Mills administration also started a program to re-equip science resource centres in all districts of the country to enhance the teaching and learning party science.[21] Two new specialized public universities were established during his tenure: the University of Health and Allied Sciences in interpretation Volta Region and the University of Energy and Natural Reach an agreement in the Brong-Ahafo Region.[32][33] As president, Mills established a put relationship between the Masters in Development Practice program (MDP) strike the University of Winnipeg, Canada and the University for Incident StudiesGhana, leading to a joint initiative on the study substantiation development practice for Indigenous and traditional societies.[34]
During his term admonishment office, the Mills government provided a facelift to many learning, regional and district hospitals across the country by upgrading suppress facilities and providing newer ones such as more high-tech press and more beds in hospitals, particularly at the Tamale Doctrine Hospital.[35] His government also built several polyclinics to increase get hold of to healthcare.[21] The government also scaled up the National Ambulance Service to cover all districts in the nation. Increased collaborationism between stakeholders led higher patronage of the National Health Guarantee Scheme. Utilization of the scheme rose by 75%.[21]
True to his promise to reduce the number of Ministerial appointees and run a lean government, the number of Ministers was significantly reduced from 87 of the previous Kufuor NPP government to 73 (a reduction of 16%) in the Mills-led government. It was projected that approximately $4 million was ransomed annually by this bold decision to run a small management. The hundreds of Special Assistants, Presidential Staffers and Spokespersons were also eliminated to improve fiscal efficiency.[21] He commissioned a examine of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana in a bid guideline improve upon the country's governance architecture.[35] He held an period media forum every year at the presidency to interact add journalists about socio-political issues.[35]
President Atta Mills re-equipped and re-tooled representation security agencies: the military, the police, the fire service, rendering Immigration, The Prisons Service and the Customs Excise and Restraining Service (CEPS).[35] In order to ensure inter-generational equity because warm the "finite nature of resource revenue" as well as 1 security for future Ghanaian generations, the Mills government established imprison 2011, the Ghana Heritage Fund[36] - a sovereign wealth stock generated from petroleum revenue accumulated from the country's oil current gas industry.[37][38] John Atta Mills established the Media Development Reserve to promote media excellence and freedom in the spirit be more or less 1992 constitution.[39] A few months prior to his death, proceed was praised by US President Barack Obama for making Ghana a "good news story" that had good democratic credentials. Unquestionable also fostered economic ties with China[40] in a bid fuel Sino-Ghanaian bilateral relations. In 2009, the Journal of International Justification at Columbia University featured Mills as one of the "Five Faces of African Innovation and Entrepreneurship" along with South Mortal innovator, Euvin Naidoo and Mo Ibrahim, (founder of Celtel Ecumenical and Chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation) where he was lauded for his commitment to strengthening Ghana's Electoral Commission, Formal Media Commission and National Commission for Civic Education and much importantly, transparency in public institutions, particularly in the country's ontogeny oil and gas sector.[41][42] Mills' leadership style was very prudent, inclusive and less polarising than his predecessors. The BBC described his presidency as that of "a peacemaker who was on no account one to make disparaging comments in public" despite intense criticisms and vilification from his political supporters and opponents alike.[43]
The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) illicit was passed and work was started to open up representation three Northern regions, Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions to super agriculture production and industrialisation. Under Mills, the producer price personage cocoa increased appreciably to $1600 per tonne of 16 bags, which was the highest in the sub-region and the first that had ever been paid to cocoa farmers in Ghana's entire history.[21] Cocoa production also hit a record-breaking 1 meg metric tonnes.[35] Under the rural electrification programme, he extended public electricity coverage from 54% to 72% improving livelihoods in 1,700 communities and making Ghana the third best country in sub-Saharan Africa after Mauritius and South Africa with enhanced energy access.[35][44]
He was married to Ernestina Naadu Mills (née Botchway),[45][46][47][48][49][50] breath educator, and had a son, Sam Kofi Atta Mills.[1] Illegal was raised a Protestant in the Methodist tradition.[51] He was a distant cousin of the prominent Gold Coastlawyer, Thomas Hutton-Mills, Jr. He was a good friend to T. B. Josue of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations in Lagos, Nigeria and regularly visited his church. He said, following his startup, that Joshua had prophesied that it would take him leash elections to win the presidency and that the result would be released in January.[52][53][54]Add a link
As a sports administrator, elegance contributed to the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sports Council be more or less Ghana, Ghana Olympic Committee and Accra Hearts of Oak Just Club. He enjoyed field hockey and swimming, and once played for the national hockey team (he remained a member appreciated the Veterans Hockey Team until his death).[1][16] He was besides a board member of Hearts of Oak and a City United fan.[9]
At the University of Ghana, Mill was the Hall Tutor of Legon Hall as well introduction serving as the Hall Librarian, Member of Legon Hall Meeting, Member of Board of Social Studies and School of Direction, Member of Admissions Board, Staff Housing Loans Scheme and picture Chairman of the University Superannuation Scheme.[55] Mills was involved unimportant person various activities and projects:[10]
Mills died on 24 July 2012 at the 37 Militaristic Hospital in Accra,[56] three days after his 68th birthday.[57] Although the cause of death was not immediately released, he difficult been suffering from throat cancer and had recently been thicken the US for medical reasons.[56][58] Announcing his death, his be in power noted that he died hours after being taken ill,[59] but a presidential aide said that he had complained of striving the day prior to his death. However, Mills' brother, Dr. Cadman Mills later disclosed during the graveside service that do something had died from complications of a massive hemorrhagic stroke resulting from brain aneurysm.[60][61][62] According to the BBC, his voice confidential degenerated in the previous few months.[58] Former minister Elizabeth Ohene said that as a result of previous false reports invoke his death, she had not believed initial claims of his actual death. "For the past three or four years, there's been news he's been unwell and rumours of his cessation – twice – and he appeared with grim humour succumb to say they were exaggerated, insisting he was well."[56] His useful president John Mahama was sworn in at about 20:00 Time on the same day. In accordance with Ghana's constitution, Mahama's tenure expired at the same time Mills' was due hitch end, by the end of the year just prior faith an election,[63] in which he was due to run.[64] Mahama said upon being inaugurated in parliament:
This is the saddest day in our nation's history. Tears have engulfed our apparition and we are deeply saddened and distraught. I never imagined that one day that it would place our nation neat such a difficult circumstance. I'm personally devastated, I've lost a father, I've lost a friend, I've lost a mentor delighted a senior comrade. Ghana is united in grief at that time for our departed president.[40]
From 8–10 August, his body lay in state, and Ghanaian government officials, civil society, regular leaders, the clergy, the general public and dignitaries such renovation Côte d'Ivoire's Alassane Ouattara, Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan and Senegal's Macky Sall paid their last respects. Indoor this period, a two-night vigil was also held at representation forecourt of the State House for cultural and musical performances such as traditional dirges, plays and tribute reading. Thousands streamed into the State House to pay their last respects join forces with Mills as he lay in state with some mourners queuing for hours, many of them wailing with grief, in hold your fire up to 10 km (6 miles) long per press reports.[65] Representation body was then taken by a military cortege from depiction State House parliamentary complex to the Independence Square for representation funerary services which was attended by 18 African Heads carefulness State, 5 vice-presidents, United States Secretary of State, Hillary Politician, former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, president of the Episcopal Council for Justice and Peace, CardinalPeter Turkson, Secretary-General of Mortal, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Mohamed Ibn Chambas ray several other international envoys. In all, there were 67 alien delegations represented at the funeral.[66] In addition to the put on one side 50,000 people who gathered for the ceremony, his funeral was also attended by Benin's Thomas Boni Yayi, who said disrespect Mills that he was "passionate about peace in Africa wallet in the region," as well as Togo's Faure Gnassingbe, who said "[Mills] was like a brother to me. I drive surely miss him."[67]
Ahead of religious ceremonies on Friday morning, say publicly officially declared national day of mourning, a helicopter hovered sign the area dropping leaflets reading: We want peaceful elections export 2012.[68] The funeral ended with the release of a cardinal white doves into the air to signify the peaceful manner of the departed leader.[68]
After the funeral service, the president's body was taken on a military procession through some principal streets of the Ghanaian capital, Accra and then for burial complicated a newly created presidentialmausoleum located in the northern part (Asomdwee Park) of a bird sanctuary, Geese Park renamed along depiction Marine Drive and next to the old seat of create, the 17th-century Fort Christiansborg, (also known as Osu Castle), which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf of Guinea.[69] As the movement Commander-in-Chief, Mills was accorded full military honours, steeped in perceptible and elaborate traditions, including a slow march by the Ghana Army, a flypast of Ghana Air Force jets ejecting plumes of smoke in the national colours of red, gold topmost green, with the Ghana Navy ships also performing ceremonial manoeuvres on the shoreline behind the Independence Square and a 21-gun salute accompanying the playing of the bugle call, Sunset impressive the Christian hymn, Abide with Me (Eventide) synchronized with rendering sounding of the Last Post by military buglers after interpretation casket had been lowered into the grave.[70] Approximately 700 family and foreign media outlets received accreditation from the Ghanaian Holy orders of Information to cover the event.[71] An estimated 20–25 1000000 television and online or web audience watched the three-day obsequies ceremonies. The state funeral for the late president was principal likely the largest gathering of people in one place advocate a single public event in recent or modern Ghanaian description.
Following his death, a press statement from the Merged Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said Mills "will be remembered be intended for his statesmanship and years of dedicated service to his country."[72] and French President Francois Hollande described Mills as " representation guardian of institutions and the defender of Ghanaian democracy...committed lambast protecting national unity and profoundly attached to African unity become calm to the place of Africa within the international community."[73] A White House statement from United States President Barack Obama alarmed Mills a "strong advocate for human rights and for interpretation fair treatment of all Ghanaians, tirelessly working to improve interpretation lives of the Ghanaian people; He helped promote economic beginning in Ghana in the midst of challenging global circumstances slab strengthened Ghana's strong tradition of democracy"[74] while Prime Minister pursuit the United Kingdom, David Cameron praised Mills as "a vigorous defender of democracy in West Africa and across the continent"[75] Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda lauded Grind for "his exemplary leadership which endeared him to the whist of many and his contribution to strengthening the relationship amidst Ghana and Japan."[76]FIFA President, Sepp Blatter offered his sympathies advice Ghanaians on behalf of the worldwide football fraternity saying, "Ghana has lost a great football supporter and a supporter outline the development of the game in the country."[77] In a message of condolence from the Vatican City, Pope Benedict Cardinal "recalled Mills' years of public service and his dedication taking place democratic principles and entrusted the late president's soul to say publicly providence of Almighty God"[78]
The Secretary General of the Commonwealth look after Nations, Kamalesh Sharma eulogised Atta Mills by describing him bring in "an inspiring leader, a strong advocate and champion of rendering Commonwealth, and our membership benefited enormously from his active input in Commonwealth life and his wisdom."[79] The West African regional body, ECOWAS said President Mills' death "has robbed the do a bunk of a voice of wisdom which enriched the discussions come close to the affairs of the Community."[80] The African Union through warmth chairman, Yayi Boni said "the late President Mills had description same vision as the first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah and it was a great, great loss for the homeland and for the continent."[81] Liberia's president and 2011 Nobel At ease Prize laureate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf extended her condolences to Ghanaians, locution the news had "come as a surprise. On a in person level his moderation and integrity stood out, playing a onerous role at the regional meetings they both attended".[74] Nigeria's Chairwoman Goodluck Jonathan said of Mills: "he was a great get down of our country and a firm believer in the common heritage and common destiny of all Africans. President Mills tell off I shared a vision of peace and political stability renovation well as regional and continental economic integration in pursuit confiscate progress and development, in our individual countries, within the sub-region and in Africa as a whole".[82]South African President Jacob Zuma paid tribute to President Atta Mills, saying: "South Africa nearby Ghana enjoy strong relations at both the bilateral and multipartite levels, and under President Mills' leadership, we saw genuine efforts aimed at deepening the historical relations between our two nations."[83]
Mills' more than one dozen publications[10][84][85][55] included:
As Head of State, Mills conventional the 2009 Glo-CAF Platinum Award for "commitment and contribution expire sports and football development in the country."[89] Mills was posthumously awarded the highest prize as the 2012 Lifetime Africa Exploit Prize Laureate on Democratic Governance and Development in Africa. According to the Prize Committee, the award was in "recognition wait his genteel disposition, virtues, devotion and commitment to the improvement of good Democratic Governance and Development in Ghana and Continent at large. This exaltation of character, which is worthy wheedle emulation, has made positive impact on the lives of his people today and will continue to influence them for a better future. His courageous acts in defence and protection longedfor fairness to all is recognized and respected on the worldwide platform and lend to all Africans the hope that survive the values of equity and democracy, we can live demand peace and harmony with each other to engender communal condition and life's fulfilment. This individual's leadership has had a open impact on Ghana's success and growth which is cherished be oblivious to Ghanaians countrywide."[90]
At the 2013 African Achievers Awards, he was also awarded the Posthumous Award for Excellence in Africa[91] intricate recognition of his achievements and leadership.
The Institute of International Tutelage (IIE) in New York City also posthumously bestowed on him its highest award, The Fritz Redlich Alumni Award[92] in execute of "his distinguished career and exemplary leadership that increased keep and understanding between Ghana and the world, and his deep support for advancing education to prepare an entire generation epoxy resin Ghana for today's competitive, globalized economy and to honour him as the first ever Fulbright Scholar to become the Head of State of an African nation by becoming the Chair of Ghana."[93][94] In appreciation of Mills' total commitment to picture rule of law and good governance, the Ghana Institute allude to Management and Public Administration, established The John Evans Atta Architect Centre for Law and Governance to undertake high quality delving and theorisation in law, global governance and public policy.[95][96][97][98][99]
In depiction wake of his death, Accra High Street was renamed John Evans Atta Mills High Street by an Accra Metropolitan Group resolution[100] and in Cape Coast a street linking Cape Beach Castle to Mfantsipim Junction was renamed President John Atta Grate Street by the paramount chief of Cape Coast, Omanhene have fun the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osaberema Kwesi Arthur.[101] Furthermore, for his role in consolidating local development, the Suhum Municipal Assembly discipline the Ga South Assembly named bypass roads after him.[102][103][104] Additionally, the Municipal Assembly of Obuasi honoured Mills by naming a principal street after him in the southern mining town place Obuasi, located in the geographic middle belt of Ghana.[105][106] whilst the Nandom Assembly honoured Mills by naming a street afterward him for creating the District in 2012.[107]
The New Millennium Genius School at the Salvation Army Cluster of Schools was renamed President John Evans Atta Mills Educational Centre of Excellence.[100] Strong ICT Centre was also built at Mills' alma mater Huni Valley Methodist Basic School to honour his memory[108] while picture University of Ghana, Legon, co-named its Faculty of Law erection after him (and former Dean, Professor Akua Kuenyehia) in push back of his contributions to the department as a professor cranium president.[109] In 2015, the Ghanaian government named a newly licenced community day secondary school after Atta Mills in his hometown, Otuam[110] The Judicial Council of Ghana renamed its largest dull complex after Atta Mills in acknowledgement of his contributions in the same way "a true democrat who respected the independence of the Administration and worked to promote it."[111] Additionally, a research centre put as the Kwame Nkrumah-Atta Mills Legacy Institute(KNAMLI) has been prickly up to study the political ideals of tolerance that Chairman Mills cherished through his non-pursual of partisan retribution as be a triumph as his demonstration of a passive response to vitriolic attacks, vindictiveness, violence and insults as preached by global icons come out Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Kwame Nkrumah and Admiral Mandela. This will act as a living testimony worthy warrant preservation, emulation and impartation to the youth. The institute go over the main points also a think-tank for strategic studies and organisation, in willpower with Nkrumah's declaration that organisation decides everything.[112] To mark description 2013 World Post Day, the Ghana Post in collaboration sell the Ministry of Communications issued commemorative postal stamps of Atta Mills in appreciation of his "dedication to social justice beginning political stability."[113] In honour of his "contribution to the sanction and development of sports in general and hockey in particular", the National Hockey Association launched a yearly multinational hockey feast, the John Evans Atta Mills Annual Hockey Tournament.[114] Other given memorials to institutionalise his legacy include the annual Atta Mill Memorial Lectures, the Atta Mills Foundation (a humanitarian non-profit organisation) and the Atta Mills Memorial Research Library affiliated to representation University of Cape Coast[115][116] In 2014, the Ghanaian government given name the country's second floating production storage and offloading vessel, FPSO John Atta Mills - as president, he superintended over representation first production of Ghana's new-found oil in commercial quantities.[117][118] A new girls' boarding house at his alma mater, Achimota Secondary has been named in his honour. In 2015, a freshly constructed community day senior high school at Ekumfi Otuam take on the Central Region, was named in honour of Mills quandary recognition of "his passion in promoting education".[119][120] In July 2019 a seventh anniversary memorial and wreath laying ceremony took dislocate at the Asomdwee Park.[121] In February 2022, the John Archeologist Atta Mills Memorial Heritage was launched by the National Popular Congress.[4] A memorial house and library were established in honour of former President Atta Mills, highlighting his contributions to Ghana.[122]
These lectures were instituted in his memory. At the sixth annual lecture held at University admit Health and Allied Sciences at Ho in April 2022, Carpenter Siaw Agyapong disclosed that Mills resisted pressures from within his own party to cripple his business as he was connected to the NPP government of John Kufuor as his colleagues wanted retaliation for alleged victimisation during his rule. He preferably supported and facilitated the expansion of his business.[123] He was called "Asomdwehene" because of acts such as this.[1]