COMMENTARY ON THE THREE DAY FUNERAL FOR PRESIDENT ATTA MILLS

A nation that does not honour its heroes it is said, is not worth dying for. It is against this backdrop that one sees as excellent the orderly funeral arrangements for the late President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills. Ghanaians indeed through word and deed expressed their appreciation for the good works and humane nature of the late President. Simply put, they gave him a heroes burial. For three days the nation stood still with people coming from far and near to pay their last respect to the departed leader. The tears and tributes that poured out are eloquent testimony to his unprecedented character. At the end of it all, a nation that was on the brink of violence buried its differences to peacefully send-off the late President.

The legacy that Professor Atta Mills bequeathed to Ghanaians are quite profound, humility, peace, tolerance, respect for one another and love for God and country among others. Professor Atta Mills was indeed a great son of Ghana who worked tirelessly and selflessly to improve the lives of his people. The Funeral Planning Committee and Security Services deserve tons of commendation for a job well done. Organising such a magnificent event within a relatively short time is ample testimony that Ghana has abundant talents and skills which could be relied upon when the situation demands. Highly commendable also is the resilience of Ghanaians and their ability to comport themselves in trying moments. As the body of Professor John Evans Atta Mills lies peacefully in the grave at Asomdwee Park, we need to pat ourselves for making the nation proud. The fact that the funeral was held without the usual political colorations and bickering, depicts our nationalism and patriotism. Equally important to cite was the sermon of Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Conference. His message was stupefying, an elixir for the soul. Indeed the wisdom that the ‘Preacherman’ imparted was beyond rhetoric. It is true without God, everything in life is futile. What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and losses his soul? We are convinced Professor Mills has not lost the soul but has safely berthed with the proverbial Yutong bus in celestial glory. It is good we did not heckle Professor Mills as he undertook his eternal journey but collectively prayed for his soul and grieved at our eternal loss. Doves are symbols of peace. So let the doves that were released at the Black Stars Square leetch the message of peace as postulated by Professor Mills on our hearts like the leetch. We salute the about 16 Heads of States and governments that joined us in mourning our departed leader. This showed the International appeal of Professor Mills and how he was appreciated by his peers.

We must admit the organisation was not all that flawless. The distribution of the funeral brochure and the fall of the wreath from the casket were some low points of the programme. It is unfortunate the planners underestimated the size of the crowd that thronged the funeral and could have avoided the chaotic scenes that characterised the distribution of the brochure in particular. The crowd that spontaneously followed the cortege and milled unto the route could have been averted if the security services had been more proactive. As a nation, we must resolve to watch what we say about our leaders. We can criticize without necessarily insulting.

The politics of insults, recrimination and vendetta cannot continue forever. We need to pull the brakes to them and Professor Mills has laid down his life for that. Let us rekindle the spirit of unity, love and fellow feeling. Professor Mills is not dead. He is alive and awake in the Lord. Ghana will also not die but will live to declare the works of the Lord.

BY: JUSTICE MINGLE, A JOURNALIST .