Political Profile of John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills

John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills was a Ghanaian politician and legal scholar (Professor) who served as 3rd President of the 4th Republic of Ghana, from 2009 until his death in 2012. He was inaugurated into power on January 7, 2009 after winning the 2008 Ghanaian presidential election.

He did not complete his first term in office and was the first Ghanaian State man to die in office. Atta Mills was born on July 21, 1944 at Tarkwa Western region of Ghana and died in July 24, 2012 in Accra, Ghana's capital.

Political Profile

Vice-President of Ghana, 1997-2001

Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills first served in the office of Vice-President under President Jerry John Rawlings from 1997 to 2001, after working as National Tax Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service.

Prior to 1996 general election, Vice-President of Jerry Rawlings, Kow Nkensen Arkaah with the National Convention Party (NCP) broke up with President Rawlings and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to form an alliance with New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This decision of Arkaah led to President Rawlings selecting Atta Mills as Vice presidential candidate in his bid for re-election to a second term. President Rawlings was re-elected to his second term of office, where John Atta Mills served as Vice-President.

In his capacity as Vice-President, he chaired the Police Council of Ghana and the Economic Management committee of the government.

Presidential Candidate for NDC

John Evans Atta Mills became National Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2000 General election of Ghana after H.E Rawlings had served his mandate terms as head of State according to constitution.

He lost the general election on a second round to his main rival, John Agyekum Kufour, who was running as candidate for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In 2002, Atta Mills was elected by NDC party again as flag bearer ahead of 2004 General election. He lead the party in 2004 election and was defeated again by incumbent president John Agyekum Kufour.

In 2006, Mills became presidential candidate for NDC for the third time ahead 2008 General election of Ghana. This time, his new major rival was Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for ruling NPP, since president John Agyekum Kufour has served two terms in office.

The 2008 General election saw John Evans Atta Mills become President of Ghana. The 2008 election had a run-off, the first ballot had Akufo-Addo in front of Mills with 49.13% of the vote against Mills' 47.92%. However, the final result of the second round of voting gave victory to Mills with 50.23%

President, 2009 - 2012.

In 2009, John Evans Atta Mills was sworn in as third president of the 4th Republic of Ghana and 6th head of State since independence, 1957.

President Mills was described as a social democrat who believed in the concept of social welfare espoused by Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah.

Under his presidency, Ghana became the fastest growing economy in the world at 20.15% for the first half of the year 2011 and 14.4% at the end of the financial year according to the International Monetary Fund and EconomicWatch.com.

The country also experienced some significant improvement under Mills government in other sectors such as education, Health, international relations, agriculture, energy access and rural development.

He established new specialized public universities during his term, which are University of Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta Region and the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana.

President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills died while in office at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. He died after battling with throat cancer and other health complications for few months.