SOCIAL: Prez Mahama calls for unity

President John Mahama

Ghana’s new President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to remain united and strong following the sudden transition of President John Evans Atta Mills which occurred at the 37 Military Hospital at 14.15 GMT yesterday in Accra.

Mr Mahama said this soon after he was sworn in by the Chief Justice, Georgina Wood, as the President of the Republic of Ghana  in accordance with Article 60 (6) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

In a sombre mood and a heavy heart, John Mahama on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana extended his condolences to the family of the late President and called for "unity and stability in the country."

President Mahama paid glowing tribute to the late President, describing him as a humble and a modest person, a father, a friend, a colleague and a mentor.

President Mahama said: “It’s with deep sorrow that I address the nation. Our nation has been hit by unprecedented tragedy. We have lost a sitting president who worked so tirelessly for his people.

He was taken ill around noon today and rushed to 37 Military Hospital. He passed away at 14.15 hr this afternoon.”

He said “this is the saddest day in our nation’s history. I never imagined that one day I’ll address our nation in such circumstances. I’m personally devastated. I lost a father, a friend and a senior colleague."

He said the late Prof Mills "was a man who brought a distinctive insight in Ghanaian politics, dedicated his entire life to the nation and had deep respect to the office and people he served. “

Newly sworn-in president John Mahama also directed that “Flags should fly at half mast in the next one week.”

President John Dramani Mahama, who becomes the Fourth President of the Fourth Republic, was born on November 29, 1958 at Damango, in the Northern Region of Ghana.He holds degrees in history and communications.

He served as a diplomat in Japan in the early 1990s before returning to Ghana, where he was first elected to parliament as a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.

He later became the chairman of the West Africa Caucus at the Pan African Parliament in Pretoria, before deceased President Mills tipped him for the Vice presidency.

Ghanadistricts.com