President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday credited the late President John Evans Atta Mills with laying the groundwork for Ghana’s current “Reset Agenda,” describing his predecessor’s tenure as one of integrity, principle, and national service.
Speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the 13th anniversary of Mills’ passing, Mahama emphasized that the memorial should be seen not as a formality, but as a civic obligation — a moment for national reflection on the values of leadership.
“If there’s one lesson we draw from the life of President Mills, it is that no challenge is insurmountable when we lead with integrity, when we listen with empathy, and when we govern with principle,” Mahama said at the Asomdwee Park memorial site in Accra.
Mills, who served as president from 2009 until his death in office in 2012, is remembered for his soft-spoken demeanor, emphasis on peace, and pursuit of social justice. His administration, which championed the “Better Ghana Agenda,” focused on expanding infrastructure, improving education, and deepening transparency.
“Professor Mills governed this country with a deep moral compass. He placed truth over expediency, people over politics, and the country over self,” Mahama said, drawing a contrast with what he called the current climate of divisive rhetoric.
The event drew senior government officials, National Democratic Congress (NDC) leaders, party elders, and relatives of the late president. Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin were also in attendance.
Mahama also addressed the state of the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Library, a long-standing concern among supporters of the late president. He acknowledged that the facility has fallen into disrepair and said the government is working with the library’s planning committee to restore it to its intended purpose as a national center for research and public engagement.
As Ghana heads into a critical election cycle, Mahama’s speech — heavy on legacy, unity, and moral leadership — served as both tribute and political signal, anchoring his administration’s forward-looking agenda in the values of a former president still held in high regard by many Ghanaians.
