Hon. Atta Mills Pays Emotional Tribute to Late President John Evans Atta Mills in Parliament
Hon. Atta Mills has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late brother, former President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, describing him as a selfless, disciplined, humble, and principled leader.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Atta Mills thanked the maker of the statement and Members of Parliament who had shared kind words in honour of the late former President.
He said the family was deeply grateful and pledged that those left behind would do their best to uphold and exemplify the values Prof. Mills lived by.
Sharing a personal experience from the period he worked at the Castle, Hon. Atta Mills recalled a strong piece of advice his brother gave him:
“Buy your own car. Do not get any driver to drive you from the Castle. And do not take even a drop of oil or petrol from the Castle.”
According to him, although Prof. Mills supported many people by paying their school fees, he expected those close to him to remain disciplined and avoid taking advantage of public resources.
Hon. Atta Mills also shared a humorous story about taking his own car to a car wash before travelling with the late President. He explained that the attendants did not believe he was an important person because he had personally brought his car instead of sending a driver.
After waiting for about two hours, a dispatch rider arrived to inform him that his brother was waiting to travel with him. When the late President later saw him, he jokingly asked:
“So when are you going to get your car washed again?”
Hon. Atta Mills said he still personally takes his car to the car wash today. However, he joked that the cost has increased—not only because prices have changed, but because people now recognize him and often ask him to give them something extra.
He described his time working with Prof. Mills as memorable and said the late President’s life reflected humility, simplicity, discipline, and service to others.
“Mr. Speaker, that was the kind of man he was—selfless, disciplined, and humble,” Hon. Atta Mills said.
He ended his tribute by praying for the continued peaceful rest of the late former President.
May the soul of Professor John Evans Atta Mills continue to rest in perfect peace.
