His Excellency, Professor John Evans Fifii Atta Mills: (21 July 1944 - 24 July 2012)

Professor John Evans Fifii Atta Mills was the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. He was inaugurated on 7 January 2009, having defeated the ruling party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 election. On July 24, 2012, it was confirmed by the Chief of Staff, Mr. Martey Newman that ?Ghana's President John Atta Mills passed away on Tuesday the 24th of July 2012 at the 37 Military Hospital at 1415 GMT.? In a ceremony broadcast on state television, John Dramani Mahama -- formerly Ghana's vice president -- became the country's new president and ordered that flags be flown at half-staff for a week. "This is the saddest day in our nation's history. Tears have engulfed our nation and we're deeply saddened and distraught. I never imagined that one day I will address our nation in such difficult circumstances," President Mahama said. "I'm personally devastated. I've lost a father, I've lost a friend, I've lost a mentor and a senior comrade." Mills was a "prince of peace" who "brought a distinctive insight into Ghanaian politics." U. S. President Barack Obama, also sent his condolences immediately following the incident, in a statement from the White House, "It was with great regret that I learned of the passing of President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana. I will always remember my trip to Ghana in 2009, and the hospitality that President Mills and the people of Ghana showed to me, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and our entire delegation. I was also pleased to host President Mills in the Oval Office earlier this year. President Mills tirelessly worked to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people. He helped promote economic growth in Ghana in the midst of challenging global circumstances and strengthened Ghana?s strong tradition of democracy. Under his leadership, the United States and Ghana deepened our partnership in the promotion of good governance and economic development. He was also a strong advocate for human rights and for the fair treatment of all Ghanaians. On behalf of the American people, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the people of Ghana, and reaffirm the deep and enduring bonds between our democracies that President Mills helped to strengthen.? This book celebrates the life of the statesman, Professor John Evans Fifii Atta Mills, the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.