Ghana’s president Mills died from “massive stroke”, says brother

Accra, Ghana (PANA) – Ghana’s president John Evans Atta Mills, who was buried on Friday, died from “massive stroke”, his brother Dr Cadman Mills, has announced.

Giving the vote of thanks at the graveside after his late brother was buried at the Asomdwe (Peace) park in Accra on Friday, he thanked doctors who tried to resuscitate him on 24 July when he suffered a "massive stroke".

Dr. Mills said doctors at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, together with some family members, tried their best to resuscitate the late President without success.

The disclosure comes against the background of many calls, especially from the opposition, to conduct an investigation into the cause of President Mills’ death.

Many people, including former President Jerry John Rawlings under who be served as vice president between 1997 and 2001, say he died from cancer.

The opposition has been very loud in blaming the late president’s aides for hiding the details of his health and in demanding a coroner’s inquest since he died less than 24 hours after arriving at the hospital.

Government officials have dismissed the demands saying the cause of death is a matter for the family.

President Mills had been rumoured to have been in poor health and he was also rumoured have died a few times, the latest being last June just before he flew to the US for a medical checkup after which he told the nation that doctors had given him a clean bill of health.

Dr Mills also disclosed what, he said, were the last words of the late president.

He said the late President raised his hand and said: "God, I give it all to you."

Dr Mills expressed appreciation to the numerous tributes that had come in since the death of the President.

“I would like you, Mr President, to convey to the people of Ghana our deepest gratitude for the words of comfort, for the solace they’ve given us and for the honour done our dear brother. I would also through you, like to thank the Armed Forces for such a stately funeral that they organized in his honour. Knowing what a modest man he was, he probably would have been a little embarrassed, but the family accepts wholeheartedly on his behalf,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state-owned DailyGraphic on Saturday devoted its editorial column to a tribute the late president, a devout Christian, wrote about himself.

It read: " 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.

"As you leaf through these pages of my life's story, I pray to God that it touches you in many positive ways.

"Weep not; 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 realms with my Maker, I pledge to always uphold and defend the good name of Ghana.

"Remember the Lord in all yor ways, and He will protect you.

"Stay well my brothers and sisters, for I willl always be with you."
-0- PANA MA 11Aug2012