The John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage on Thursday, July 11, 2024, has outline activities to celebrate the Twelfth Anniversary of the death of President John Evans Atta Mills.
The J. E. A. Atta Mills Memorial Heritage was established on February 1, 2021, as a special vehicle to propagate and celebrate the good works of the the late President and since then has gained NGO status and been duly registered with the Department of Social Welfare.
The Keynote Speaker for the anniversary Lecture is Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, and will be chaired by Justice Sophia Akuffo, former Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.
A book titled, ‘Atta Mills Around the Regions’. is to be launched at the Anniversary Lecture to honor the late Pro’f. J. E. A. Mills.
The book is a compilation of all the Lectures delivered in the clustered 16 regions of the country as part of the year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the death of President Mills.
It would be reviewed by Prof Ransford Gyampo of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, and the President of the University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
The 12th Commemorative Anniversary lecture will be held on Friday,July 19, 2024, at 2 pm, at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana,
Activities outlined towards the 12th anniversary of the late President John Evans Atta Mills Memorial by J. E. A. Atta Mills Memorial Heritage are as follows;
There would be an Anniversary Wreath Laying Ceremony and Memorial Service for President John Evans Atta Mills at the Asomdwee Park, near the Independence Square.
Also, there is going to be the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium. on 27th July 2024 at 8.30 am,
The Board Chairman of the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage, Hon. Alex Segbefia at a press conference pointed out that, they are remembering the 12th anniversary of the late President John Evans Atta Mills’s death about his ‘everlasting message’ to us twelve years ago that says, ‘’I came to serve; I have finished my time here on earth and have moved on to everlasting rest and celestial duties with my heavenly Father…… Weep not; for I am not dead. I am alive and awake in the Lord. Ghana will not die; ’Ghana will live to declare the works of the Lord. As I rest in perfect peace in the celestial realm with my Maker, I always pledge to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana’ Prof.’s words are indeed everlasting, and we will always have fond memories of him”.
“2024 is the 12th year of remembrance of Prof John Evans Atta Mills, third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. Prof. Mills would have turned 80 years old on 21st July 2024. ‘Prof. at 80 years, what would it have been like? a past President of Ghana, an experienced professor of law and taxman, a husband, and an astute public servant. If only we could still experience those valuable wonderful moments with Prof. We can just reminisce”.
According to Hon. Alex Segbefia, they decided to set up the not-for-profit organization to promote the President John Evans Atta Mills brand and unique view of strengthening democratic values and human development.
” On 1st February 2021, the J. E. A. Atta Mills Memorial Heritage was born as that special vehicle. The Memorial Heritage has since gained NGO status and been duly registered with the Department of Social Welfare”.
He disclosed that, at Prof. Mills’s burial in 2012, it was the wish of his family that effort would be made to create special vehicles in his name to keep his legacy alive adding that, his family promised to join others to offer support and access to education for gifted children and youth from disadvantaged homes.
Also, help promote sports for youth and children with special needs and undertake targeted actions to provide basic productive infrastructure for poor and peri-urban communities
Hon. Segbefia averred that since its launch, the Memorial Heritage has implemented a series of activities including organizing the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Annual Commemorative lectures; the J.E.A Mills Memorial Regional Lectures; Wreath Laying Ceremonies, launching five publications on Prof. J.E.A Mills, organizing the J.E.A. Mills Sports Tournaments and the instituting awards in memory of Prof. Atta Mills at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) for the best long-distance student.
“The Memorial Heritage has also developed a Five-Year Strategic Plan (2024 – 2028), outlining its program activities and operations for 2024- 2028. Details are as follows: the first category is general programs, activities, and operations. These include the Annual Lectures, Commemorative lectures, Publications, and Sports Tournaments. The second category is thematic programs of activities; these include, but are not limited to; governance-related programs, sports, and education-related programs. Governance programs include commissioning a documentary on the life and works of President John Evans Atta Mills and leading an advocacy strategy to implement some uncompleted activities based on the vision of Prof. Atta Mills. For education, the Memorial Heritage will strengthen its relationship with the John Evans Atta Mills Senior High School in Otuam, Central Region. It will also institute awards and scholarships for students in tertiary institutions”.
The Memorial Heritage he indicated, would promote the Inter-Schools Hockey Competition under the John Evans Atta Mills Inter-Schools Hockey competition. “It will also mobilize funds to sponsor the development of Astro Turf hockey pitches. We are appealing to all well-meaning persons to support these worthy causes”.
