On July 25, 2012, the President of Ghana, John Atta Mills, unexpectantly died in an Accra hospital from complications resulting from cancer. He was running for re-election which takes place this coming December. Four years ago, Mills won the Presidency over Nana Akufo-Addo by a margin of less than 1% after a second round of voting. They were running against each other again this year. Mills was very bright, educated in the US and Britain, and this upcoming election looked to be as close and competitive as it was in December of 2008.
The entire country is shaken up. Although some publicly cheered, most Ghanaians, regardless of politics, mourned the loss of a great leader.
As we were discussing his death with some of the missionaries and expressing our sympathy, Elder Sarpong, who is from a small town just outside of Accra, made a startling observation. If the President had been assassinated or died because of the actions on the part of a caucasion, the political outrage among the Ghanaians would put every white person's life in danger. I guess it wouldn't be so different from America where many Muslims were threatened after 9/11.
We have now initiated a new emeergency plan for our missionaries here in Sunyani. In case of a disaster--political or environmental--all of our Elders are to get to the District Office as quickly as possible and bring with them all of the food that they have on hand. (Which isn't very much!) We would then secure the building compound and then make the necessary arrangements to get aid or get all of us to safety. It's good to have a plan just in case.
The country is handling Mills' death with remorse and dignity and is demonstrating how much Ghana has grown since its independence. It is heartbreaking to see the sadness brought by the loss of their President. Here in Ghana we are watching as history unfolds and a new chapter will be written in the pages of Ghana's democracy.
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