-Atta Mills Institute Grateful
-Mahama Missing
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has honoured late former President John Evans Atta Mills with the rehabilitation of the Asomdwe Park where he was laid to rest 10 years ago.
He reiterated his sincere condolences to the former First Lady and spouse of the late President, Ernestina Naadu Mills, to the entire family, to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and to the people of Ghana “for their great loss”.
Emphasising his commitment yesterday, to give the late President a befitting resting place, President Akufo-Addo stated that, “the man from Ekumfi Otuam will not be forgotten”.
The final resting place of the late president was completely abandoned and left to deteriorate due to what his loyalists believed, was a deliberate neglect by Mr. John Dramani Mahama when he was president for four and half years.
However, the Founder and CEO of Atta Mills Institute, Mr. Samuel Koku Anyidoho, who served late President Mills with absolute loyalty pleaded with the Akufo-Addo government to rehabilitate the Asomdwee Park to honour his mentor with a befitting ‘home’.
His request was graciously accepted by President Akufo-Addo, which culminated in the renovation of the Park.
Speaking at the ceremony before the commissioning of the final abode of the former leader of the NDC and in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of his passing, President Akufo-Addo indicated that sometime after becoming President, he became aware of the sad state of the Asomdwee park and in 2020 through the CEO of the Atta Mills Institute.
“I received a request from the late President’s energetic communications director, Koku Anyidoho, who runs the institute named after the President for the assistance of government for the rehabilitation of the facility.
“I agreed and subsequently, I instructed the Coastal Development Authority to undertake a thorough rehabilitation of the park with close collaboration of the institute. It was not right that the park had been allowed to deteriorate considerably over the years since his burial in 2012.
“I am happy that it was under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, allegedly, his fiercest critic, that the Asomdwee park has been elevated to a status befitting the final resting place of a President of the Republic of Ghana,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Mahama missing
Prof. Mills died as the third President of the Fourth Republic on July 24, 2012 and his 10th anniversary was yesterday celebrated by the state at the Asomdwee Park without the presence of former President John Dramani Mahama who inherited the presidency of the late president.
He was scheduled to speak at the event but unfortunately he was not present to do so.
The event was however graced by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, former High Commissioner to Nigeria under late President Mills, Baba Kamara; NDC and Council of State Member, Mr. E. T. Mensah; Mr. Allotey Jacobs, ministers of state, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional rulers and representatives of various political parties among others.
University mates
President Akufo-Addo pointed out that he was a contemporary of the late President at the University of Ghana.
The two were members of the same hall, Legon Hall, and played in the same University football team.
“As fate would have it, we ended up belonging to and leading different political organisations. We contested the presidency in 2008, and even though some will say it does not count, I won the first round and he won the second round, the round that really mattered. I was looking forward to a third round in 2012, when the Almighty called him home on 24th July 2012”, President Akufo-Addo grieved.
No exploitation
President Akufo-Addo explained that he did renovate the Asomdwee Park to exploit or take advantage of any so-called divisions in the National Democratic Congress, stressing that “those alleged divisions are not of my making, and do not, in any way, inure to my benefit.”
He also dismissed the “unfortunate accusations” levelled by some against government about the supposed desecration of the tomb of the late President in the process of rehabilitating the Park.
“Nothing could be further from the truth, and it is good to note that these false, malicious statements have been firmly dispelled and debunked by the Coastal Development Authority, through the agency of its CEO, Mr. Jerry Ahmed Schaib, in a public statement under his hand,” he stated.
Atta Mills Institute Grateful
The Founder & CEO of Atta Mills Institute, Mr. Samuel Koku Anyidoho said credit shall always be given where it is due.
He said the nation shall forever be grateful to President Akufo-Addo for his forward-looking and all-embracing leadership style, which has allowed him to look far above petty partisan considerations, “to build this lasting Monument in memory of one of his predecessors who happened to be his friend and colleague during their university days at the University of Ghana. Legon”.
“This lasting legacy of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, shall tell a story that will forever echo joyful tunes of a nation that can unite behind things that bind us rather than things that divide us, and I am I no doubt that, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), will soon adopt it as one of the Heritage Sites of the World”, he added.
Glory be to God
Mr. Anyidoho thanked “God Almighty for touching the hearts of every single person who has contributed to bringing this monumental project to this stage of completion- making the nation proud to have removed the ignominy that sat on our face as the world looked at us and wondered if we would remain unmoved by the disgraceful manner in which Asomdwee Park was left for years”.
He prayed that the unity of purpose of yesterday’s historic gathering will open the everlasting gates of heaven’s grace, mercies and blessings upon Ghana.
“It is my fervent prayer that the Good Lord continues to bless our Homeland Ghana and make us greater and stronger.
“I am glad to have been of service to the Republic of Ghana in this work that has been done and I selflessly pledge my Loyalty to Ghana at all times.
“I pledge to work in the supreme interest of this dear nation of ours and God be my Helper”, the Founder & CEO Atta Mills Institute prayed.
