Biography of John Evans Atta Mills

Full Name: John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills
Date of Birth: July 21, 1944
Place of Birth: Tarkwa, Western Region, Gold Coast (now Ghana)
Date of Death: July 24, 2012
Profession: Lawyer, tax expert, academic, politician
Known For: Serving as the President of Ghana (2009–2012); remembered for his calm demeanor, commitment to peace and integrity, and deep legal knowledge

Overview

John Evans Atta Mills was a respected academic, lawyer, and statesman who served as the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, from January 2009 until his untimely death in July 2012. A man known for his modesty, intellectual discipline, and humility, Mills was widely admired across political divides for his non-confrontational style of leadership and firm commitment to democratic governance.

Though his presidency was cut short, he left a lasting legacy of peaceful leadership, institutional respect, and a vision for inclusive national development.

Early Life and Education

Atta Mills was born in Tarkwa and raised in a Fante family. He received his early education at Achimota School and proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon, where he earned a law degree in 1967. He later pursued graduate studies abroad:

• Obtained a PhD in Law from the University of London

• Studied at the Stanford Law School and the Hague Academy of International Law

His academic work focused particularly on taxation and commercial law, and he quickly rose to become one of Ghana’s leading legal scholars.

Academic and Public Service Career

Mills spent over two decades as a professor of law at the University of Ghana and also served as Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 1988 to 1996, where he earned a reputation for professionalism, ethics, and reform-minded thinking.

His transition into public life was marked by integrity, competence, and a strong commitment to social justice.

Political Career

1. Vice President (1997–2001)

In 1996, President Jerry John Rawlings selected Mills as his running mate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The Rawlings–Mills partnership won the election, and Mills served as Vice President of Ghana from 1997 to 2001.

During this time, he acted as a moderating voice within government, earning a reputation for being measured, thoughtful, and principled.

2. Presidential Campaigns

Mills ran for president three times before finally winning:

• 2000 & 2004: Narrowly lost to John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)

• 2008: Won the presidency after a runoff election, defeating Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

His perseverance, even in defeat, contributed to Ghana’s democratic maturity and reinforced public faith in the electoral process.

Presidency (2009–2012)

As President, Atta Mills promoted a philosophy of “Better Ghana Agenda”, focused on:

• Economic stabilization and inclusive growth

• Expansion of infrastructure and education

• Promotion of transparency and anti-corruption measures

• Maintaining freedom of speech and press independence

He was particularly lauded for:

• His fiscal discipline amid global economic instability

• Preserving peace during politically tense moments

• Respecting the rule of law and judicial independence

Despite internal political challenges and criticism over slow-paced reforms, Mills remained personally incorruptible and committed to the moral high ground, refusing to engage in political mudslinging.

Personal Traits and Legacy

President Mills was often referred to as “Asomdwehene”—meaning “King of Peace” in Akan—for his peaceful approach to politics. His leadership style was calm, contemplative, and inclusive, which helped lower political temperatures in a highly polarized environment.

He is remembered for:

• His deep sense of national unity

• Refusal to exploit ethnic or political divisions

• Commitment to mature democratic governance

Sudden Death and National Mourning

On July 24, 2012, just months before the next election, President Mills died in office after a short illness—becoming the first sitting president in Ghanaian history to pass away while in power.

His death shocked the nation and triggered an outpouring of grief, respect, and tributes from across the political spectrum. His peaceful and lawful succession by then-Vice President John Dramani Mahama was a significant moment in Ghana’s democratic evolution.

Commemoration and Honors

• John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Library in Cape Coast

• Annual lectures and events celebrating his ideals and public service

• Statues and portraits across the country honor his memory

• Regarded as a symbol of ethical leadership and democratic maturity

John Evans Atta Mills embodied the ideal of servant leadership. His presidency marked a period of political civility, institutional respect, and moral authority in Ghanaian governance. In an era where political rivalry often bred division, Mills stood as a reassuring figure of unity and discipline.

Though his time in office was brief, his impact endures—as a model of peaceful leadership, a champion of justice, and a quiet architect of democratic progress in Ghana.