Govt to embark on GH¢4.4m redevelopment of Asomdwee Park
After eight years of the construction of the Asomdwee Park, the burial place of former President John Evans Atta Mills, the place is to be developed into a befitting national monument.
In line with that, the sod was yesterday cut for work to begin immediately to transform the park into a place befitting the status of the late President, who ruled Ghana from January 7, 2009 until his sudden death on July 24, 2012.
The GHc4.4-million Asomdwee Park Redevelopment Project, which is expected to be completed within the next six months, will involve general maintenance of the park, refurbishment of dilapidated buildings and the provision of drainage infrastructure.
Other works include the construction of a mast and a protective wall and the laying of new pavement.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib, announced this at a commemorative event by the Atta-Mills Institute to mark the eighth anniversary of the death of the former President in Accra yesterday.
President direction
Mr Shaib said the decision was a directive from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
"I have been directed by President Akufo-Addo to fund the redevelopment of the Asomdwee Park to transform it into a national monument befitting its status as the final resting place of former President Mills.
"The government will continue to support the Atta-Mills Institute in recognition of the late Professor’s invaluable contribution to the development of this country," he said.
The CEO also gave an assurance that the government would protect the legacies of the late former President.
Ceremony
The solemn wreath-laying ceremony, held on the theme: "8 years on ...: Still in our hearts", was attended by a Presidential Advisor in the Office of the President, Mr Ken Amankwa; a former Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho; the CEO of the Atta-Mills Institute, Mr Koku Anyidoho, as well as some family members of the late President.
Mr Amankwa laid the first wreath on behalf of President Akufo-Addo for the people of Ghana, while the son of the late former President, Mr Kofi Atta-Mills, and Mr Koku
Anyidoho laid the second and the third wreaths for the family of Prof. Mills and the Atta-Mills Institute, respectively.
President eulogise Atta-Mills
In a speech delivered on his behalf, President Akufo-Addo described the late President as "selfless, a fighter for social justice, an anti-corruption crusader and peace-loving leader who was committed to national duty”.
The President also eulogised the former President for remaining committed to the peace and unity of the country even when there were moments of extreme political pressure on him.
"Let us appraise ourselves of the exemplary leadership of Prof. Mills and make conscious efforts to live his good life," he said.
President Akufo-Addo urged politicians to learn from the good leadership example of Prof. Mills by putting the country first in everything they did.
He described the former President as a peace-loving person who built bridges across the political divide, adding that people who wielded power should use their offices to promote peace and unity in the country.
Appreciation
For his part, Mr Anyidoho described former President Mills as a teacher and mentor whose memories would remain with Ghanaians forever.
He expressed gratitude to the government for taking the bold step to transform the Asomdwee Park into a national monument, saying the gesture by the government was an indication that the late former President lived a life that focused on national unity and development.
He urged people to put away their political colours when dealing with key national issues and rather focus on matters of national development.