A YEAR AFTER ETERNITY

24th July will forever remain an unforgettable day in the life of every Ghanaian. Time and events as they say, might change but memories would not. Such is the position in which Ghana finds itself.

On this day in 2012,Ghana turned upside down with an unprecedented demise of a sitting president. When it occurred, one could not differentiate between men and women as both could not hold back their tears. Even in traditional settings where it was a taboo for men to openly shed tears, kings and queens alike defied this rule in order to appease their souls for this gargantuan loss and went on and on and on till they could no more.

Consoling any Ghanaian on this day was just impossible. There is only one word that I might possibly use in describing this day. It was a “ Dreadful Tuesday” in the annals Ghana’s politics.

This man whose death became a symbol of unity for the country aside football was the third ‘John’ to ascend to the highest office of the land after Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and Mr. John Agyekum Kufour in the 4th of Republic. His name is Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Asomdweehene as Ghanaians affectionately called him, changed the face of presidency during his tenure.

On that fateful day, Ghana was standstill. Birds could not fly, movement became somehow stagnated, Radio and TV presenters, DJs among others could not play their favourite hits and numbers but had suddenly become professional mourners, playing and responding dirges of all kind. The African sun was shining no more as if the whole world was experiencing a total eclipse. It was unbearable. Women at labour wards did not want know to anything relating to this sad news as it might worsen their condition. All these pointed to just one thing; the loss of a hero from the land of Gold. Some of us even thought we may possibly negotiate and bargain for his life with the gold and other resources Ghana has but these were not enough to convince “Mr. Death” who had carried our President high on its shoulders.

President Mills’ death changed certain perceptions his political opponents and those who did not...