Dr Cadman Mills: Atta Mills Had A Stroke

Dr Cadman Mills, brother of the late President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, yesterday dropped a hint of what could have possibly killed his sibling who died a couple of weeks ago at the 37 Military Hospital.

This was minutes after the mortal remains of President Mills were laid to rest at a location between the Castle and Marine Drive, which has been christened the ‘Asomdwee’ Park, literally meaning ‘Peace Park’ in reference to the late president who was touted as ‘Asomdwee hene’, to wit, ‘king of peace’.

The place was originally called Geese Park.

When given the opportunity to deliver a vote of thanks, Cadman Mills grabbed the microphone and did more than he had been mandated to do.

He indicated that his brother died shortly after a massive stroke, to the surprise of many, especially those gathered at the cemetery. He said moments before his death, the late President Mills lifted up his hands and said, “Lord, I leave it all to you.”

According to him, doctors at the 37 Military Hospital where he died did everything possible to save him, but as the good Lord would have it, they could not change his destiny.

Stroke is a medical emergency which can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and death.

The Wikipedia encyclopedia defines stroke as the rapid loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.

This could be due to lack of blood flow caused by blockage, the result of which affects area of the brain, and this might result in an inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech or an inability to see one side of the visual field.

This latest revelation could therefore heighten already existing speculations over what could have possibly killed the former president.

This is in view of the fact that handlers of the late president have been tight-lipped over the circumstances leading to his death.

Some including the western media, especially the BBC and former President Jerry John Rawlings have attributed the sudden demise of the late leader to cancer.

These claims have however been denied by government functionaries, which situation has compelled individuals and civil society groups to push for the report of the autopsy to be made public.

What is still not clear is whether the latest revelation is what is contained in the supposed autopsy report said to have been released to the deceased family, which is being kept in the closet.

The Event

Meanwhile, the mortal remains of late President Mills were finally interred yesterday after weeks of national mourning.

Thousands of Ghanaians from various parts of the country including traditional rulers, former presidents, leaders of various political parties and foreign dignitaries joined members of the deceased family together with government officials to bid farewell to the deceased Ghanaian leader.

At least 18 heads of state and foreign leaders including the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; African Union Chairman and President of Benin Republic, Thomas Yayi Boni; Faure Gnassingbe of Togo; Dr Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria; Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire among others, were present.

As early as 5:00am, stands at the Independence Square had been filled to capacity. Several members of the public as well as local and foreign journalists had to struggle to gain access to the place, with the venue awash with red and black mourning clothes.

The security agencies had a tough time controlling the crowd.

Like the previous day’s event at the State House, several people had to be rushed to various health facilities after collapsing, probably due to fatigue caused by standing for long hours in the scorching sun.

Display

Police outriders (dispatch riders) thrilled the crowd with a good display of showmanship with their motorbikes, exhibiting a high sense of professionalism.

A chopper which was airborne released handbills of the late president, and there was an aerial display by the air force.

This was however short-lived as the military gun-carrier that conveyed the casket of the late president approached the Square at exactly 10:45am.

Momentarily, virtually everybody became numb, with a number of people beginning to shed tears.

The vehicle was led by a team of smart-looking military cum police officers in ceremonial clothes, followed by horse-riders.

After hours of prayers and tributes from various individuals including those of the widow of the deceased president and President John Dramani Mahama, activities at the Square were brought to a closure to make way for interment of the mortal remains of the late president.

By this time, the eyes of most people were filled with tears, with some wailing and weeping as the casket, which was draped in national colours of red, yellow, green, was being wheeled to the cemetery.

People, including, queen mothers and ordinary Ghanaians who had filled the stands at the Square burst into tears whilst waving miniature national flags to bid farewell to their fallen hero.

A short but solemn burial ceremony was held at the Asomdwee Park, followed by a 21-gun salute by officers and men of the 66 Artillery regiment in Ho, after which the mortal remains of the late President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills were finally laid to rest close to the old colonial building, the Osu Castle, in full honours.

Throughout the ceremony, wife of the late president, Ernestina Naadu Mills and his only son, Samuel Kofi Atta Mills, looked composed until the end.

Akosua Puni And Michael Essien

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