Mahama commits to peace, unity
Former President John Mahama has committed to providing leadership that will promote peace and unity among Ghanaians and set the country on the path of restoration.
In doing so, he pledged to see to it that justice was served to all persons irrespective of their ethnic background and political affiliation.
"I stand today before the tomb that holds the remains of the Asomdwehene —The King of Peace; and I pledge that I will continue to fight for the peace and unity of this country," he stated at a wreath-laying ceremony held in Accra yesterday to mark the eighth anniversary of the passing of former President John Evans Atta Mills.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer further assured all Ghanaians that he would provide leadership that created opportunity for all citizens without being selective.
Wreath-laying
Prof. Atta Mills passed away on July 24, 2012 and was laid to rest at the Asomdwe Park on August 10, 2012; and in memory of the man, who was fondly known for peace and unity, three separate wreath-laying ceremonies were held yesterday to mark the eighth anniversary of his passing.
The Atta Mills Institute, a foundation established in honour of the former leader, organised a separate ceremony to mark the day after which the NDC also held a similar event to commemorate the day.
Earlier in the day, the first President of the Fourth Republic, Jerry John Rawlings, had separately laid a wreath for the man who served as his Vice-President from January 7,1997 to January 7, 2001.
The wreath-laying event was attended by kingpins of the NDC such as the running mate for this year's elections, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the National Chairman of the party, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; former Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho; the Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, and other Members of Parliament.
Members of the late former President's family including his sister, Mrs Mercy Quarshie; his brother and MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA), Mr Samuel Atta Mills, and his son, Kofi Atta Mills, were all at the ceremony.
Representatives of other political parties also attended the event.
It was a solemn ceremony laced with soothing words in eulogy of the law professor and revenue expert who earned the accolade of a promoter of peace and corruption fighter.
Mr Mahama was joined by Prof. Opoku-Agyemang to lay the first wreath in memory of President Atta Mills while Mr Ofosu Ampofo laid the second one in the name of the NDC.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, led the minority caucus to lay the third wreath, with the family of the late President and his son, Mr Kofi Atta-Mills, also laying their wreaths.
Better leadership
Mr Mahama said the country currently needed the kind of leadership that would break cultural and ethnic barriers and channel the diversities into national development.
He said it was worrying that ethnic and political sentiments had crept into the country and eroded the gains made during the tenure of his predecessor who he described as "a unifier and father" who fought for the peace of the country.
"Prof. Atta Mills was a believer in peace and unity and he fought for it. Today, Ghanaians are crying for such a father who will see everyone as one; they are crying for a country where opportunities will be opened to all and not just a select few; a nation where there will be justice for all; a country where all of us shall be equal before the law.
"As a party, we shall win power and restore the peace and unity that is desired in this country," he said.