By Vida Dzakah

I thought it was another hoax of the day, peddled against an honorable stateman.The gossips are on it again eh! I thought.

On the 24th of July 2012, the country was left in a state of shock, despair and sadness when the news broke out that His Excellency, John Evan Atta Mills, the sitting president of Ghana was no more. On a personal note, as I stepped out of the vehicle from work, the atmosphere around me changed, the clouds were dark with the breezy weather, then I saw people in groups, some running for their dear lives , others screaming eh!, eh! eh! Atta and others just did not mind because the eh, eh, eh could turn out to be one of those common rumors that the country had witnessed before. At the next moment, it dawned on me to think twice and ask again, because I happen to be one those people who don’t give a second thought to rumors.

I got in touch with a colleague and being as careful as possible I asked if she noticed any change in the atmosphere from where she was, her response was in the affirmative.

I asked myself how this could be possible, has this ever happened? Definitely not and it cannot happen now.

As I got home, my first attempt was to tune in to the radio station and the television, if I had more than a pair of ears and eyes, I would have tuned to more radio and television stations to hear and see it for myself, because seeing is believing goes the saying. I did not care less of becoming a doubting Thomas at that moment.

I also forgot that sitting presidents had passed away before our time in other countries; perhaps it was to confirm the Biblical quotation that what has happened will happen again and that there is nothing new under the sun.

I found myself in a state of dilemma and shock. Has the unexpected happened? The daily mantra that the president was not well, to me was a simple saying aimed at scoring cheap political points.

My unbelief led me to stick to both the television and the radio for the night and these I heard, “the president, H. E. John EvansAttah Mills’ death confirmed. President Mills passes on. A letter from the office of the president states that……..”

These statements were repeated, and then I knew it was a serious matter. I had to accept it; however, I was hopingto hear the next day that it was all lies, but hey!It was true, we have lost a great man, I have witnessed this, I would not be told again as we learnt history in school.

It was all about the death of a man who was peaceful, who did not respond to negative comments aim at vilifying him. He held on in the midst of sickness and pain for the sake of the nation Ghana.  He gave his best, he was a hero and the nation mourns a true son of the land, a great man, a unifier, a father for all.

I believe he will forever be remembered just like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, for his many fine policies, his deep sense of religion tolerance, his commitments and hard work.

Not forgetting his notable clichés,“my brothers and sisters” “me nua nom ne adofo nom”, “dzi wu fie asem”, “do I look like a cat hunter”, I belive the peace he had preached w ill touch many hearts and nations.

Strike actions have been called off by TEWU (Teachers and educational workers union) as a sign of respect to the statesman.

Speaking on corruption with the officials at the harbors “there are those who want the red, pink, and blue. You will collect the green and the other colours.

The Writer is a Staff at the Information Services Department.

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