COMMENTARY ON A VALEDICTORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT MILLS

Absolutely stunning and somber, this sums up the mood of the nation since President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills answered the heavenly call on the 24th of last month and was re-united with his Maker at ‘Asomdwee’ or Peace Park. In authoritarian regimes obsequious flattery is the rule. And in democratic states, frank talk is the norm. So in a country noted for its sharp differences, strident partisanship and equilibrium in democratic supply and demand, the sense of unity and outpouring our grief and eulogising our President is incredible. In the face of utter disappointment and remote possibility of viewing the body of President Mills a mourner in the long, endless line which snaked all the way from Osu township to the State House where the President was laid in State vowed that he would never give up until he had his turn. Such was the dogged determination and undiluted love of thousand others who littered the city to bid farewell to the man who for three and half years served as a glue to hold this nation together and a pointer to the path of durable peace, sustainable development and above all the fear of God.

It will be redundant to once again trumpet his attributes and monotonous to sing his praise for his gamut of achievements ranging from his meticulous scholarship, fastidious service to unquestionable integrity. In academia, he attained the highest rank of Professor, in taxation he reached the top most position of Commissioner and in politics, he achieved the pinnacle of his ambition as President. In all these fields, Professor Mills was never inflamed with pride nor consumed with greed. His heart was rather flooded with love for nation. He is indeed humility exemplified, simplicity epitomised and modesty personified. He combined his strength of humility, greatness of simplicity and heart of forgiveness to redefine the rules of engagement in Ghana politics which stinks or rather used to stink with insults of damaging consequences and tensions of unimaginable proportions. To a very large extent, he succeeded. His life was a perfect blend of policy espoused and policy in use. At all the places he went and on the platforms he mounted, Professor Mills espoused the message of peace, tolerance, unity and reliance on God. The Bible which to believers is a perennial spring of wisdom and infallible guide of conduct teaches that the Lord instructs the man who fears him on the path chosen for him. In sticking to that path, Professor Mills proclaimed God the President of Ghana and proved by word and deed that self directed activity is an enormous waste of time, money and effort. Under President Mills, Ghana for several years tamed the ferocious economic animal called inflation which remains single digit. Ghana's economy was adjudged the fastest growing in the world. Our media system was acknowledged as the freest in Africa while our under 21 team conquered the world. His achievements and many more do not obscure the monumental challenges we face. But Professor Mills has modelled the way. With unity of purpose and love for nation we can scale whatever hurdle that stands in our way.

Indeed, President Mills would turn in his grave while peace loving Ghanaians loss in their sleep if we show the slightest sign of returning to the bad old ways of insults, vilification perpetration of mendacity, all in the name of politics. Even in the face of provocation, our patience like that of ‘Asomdwehene’ should not wear thin nor our love for the nation grow cold. It is said that the death of the believer is the funeral of all his woes and the resurrection of all his joys. The woes of insults, sickness and ill intentioned speculations about his health are over. In place are joys unconfined as he parades the beautiful shore and dwells in the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God. His is indeed life well lived and a light gone dim. Man of Peace, Rest in Peace.

BY: AFFAIL MONNEY.