Since the heartbreaking death of late President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills on July 24, 2012, some monuments have been named in honor of his memory, and an annual remembrance day has been instituted to celebrate his momentous and worthy live on earth, particularly his contribution to academia and public service.
Though many have argued that, naming a street, building a museum, a library and the new block for the judiciary were enough honor to the memory of the fallen hero, we at The aL-hAJJ believe a more befitting honor to the life and achievements of the late law professor, is to confer on him the highest award of the land, if even posthumously.
Although the late President, and knowing the kind of person he was, is not someone who will gloat over any such honor if he were alive, it is important to acknowledge his contribution to the country and safeguard his achievements and legacies for posterity.
It is important to recount that the late former President turned down a similar honor when he was nominated by former President Kufuor to receive the Companion of the Order of Star of Ghana because he thought the award was tainted even at the nomination level. It will be recalled operatives and supporters of the New Patriotic Party highly criticized then President John Kufuor for his decision to confer the award on the then opposition leader when their presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo whom he (Mills) was challenging at the election was left out.
The late Professor John Mills, twice, as incumbent presidential candidate and opposition candidate, had lost two keenly contested presidential elections and in all, graciously accepted defeat and pledged unflinching support for the elected president. Perhaps, his highly commended ability to accept defeat, particularly in the controversial 2004 elections, which whipped all supporters of his party including his party's founder, Jerry Rawlings (who initially though called for the rejection of the results) in line, was what informed President Kufuor's decision to confer the highest award of the land on him.
Prior to his agonizing eight years experience in opposition as leader of the NDC, late President Mills has for over 25 years, imparted knowledge to hundreds of Ghanaians and foreign students at the law faculty of the University of Ghana and across the boundaries of Ghana. His contribution to the development of football when he served as Chief Executive of Accra Hearts and chairman of the National Sports Council is worthy of mention.
Persons who worked with him when he served as head of the Internal Revenue Service and other state institutions, including his days as vice President under ex-President Rawlings, have all given him a clean bill of health when it comes to discipline, humility and patriotism.
Indeed, many people got to know of his unquestionable, loyal contributions and dedicated services to the success of his motherland, Ghana, when he painfully passed on to glory on July 24, 2012. Even his virulent critics spoke well of him and confessed, their inexorable needless attacks on him was politically motivated.
Professor John Mills' stay in office as President, although short lived, has been a remarkable phenomenon. Under his watch in the three and half years of his administration, Ghana witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development, achieved longest period (34 months) of single digit inflation and highest economic growth of 14 percent, a feat yet to be achieved by any government under the Fourth Republic as well as other remarkable achievements.
Although all indications pointed to a first round win for him in the 2012 elections, he passed on to eternity and his achievements, among others, contributed largely to his protégé and vice President, John Dramani Mahama to win the 2012 elections after just three months of campaigning.
It was therefore not surprising that when he died, all shades of the political divide and the country at large came together to give him a befitting burial and funeral. What transpired during his burial was testament to his good works and valuable contribution to the growth and development of Ghana.
Despite all the good things that have been done to honor him, it would be more than appropriate if President John Mahama cap it all with the nation's highest award.
The late President does not just only deserve this award, in fact, he needs to be celebrated for what he has achieved for this country and the impact his legacies are having on Ghanaians living, and yet unborn.
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