Today, Friday, July 24, 2026, marks exactly 14 years since President John Evans Atta Mills passed away at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, an event that sent shockwaves across Ghana and drew international attention to the country.
Professor Atta Mills died on the afternoon of July 24, 2012, at 2:15 p.m., according to a statement issued at the time by then-Chief of Staff John Henry Martey Newman.
His death came just three days after he celebrated his 68th birthday and only months before the scheduled end of his first term in office.
While the official cause of death was never publicly disclosed, it was widely known that Professor Atta Mills had been battling illness, reportedly throat cancer, and had travelled to the United States for medical treatment shortly before his passing. He remains the first sitting Ghanaian president to die in office.
Following the announcement of his death, then-Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as president later that same day, in accordance with Ghana’s constitutional succession process.
Professor Atta Mills was later laid to rest at Asomdwee Park in Accra following a state funeral held from August 8 to 10, 2012.
A sad video from his demise has resurfaced on the Ghanaian internet as the nation marks 14 years since his sudden death.
The video has gotten a better part of most Ghanaians, triggering heartfelt messages on all social media platforms.
Watch the emotional video here.
