13th John Evans Atta Mills lecture: Emulate Mills’s selfless leadership - Charlotte Osei urges leaders

A Former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, has challenged the country’s political leaders to emulate the selfless, principled and inclusive leadership of the late President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

Speaking at the 13th John Evans Atta Mills Commemorative Lecture, she said the country was in dire need of leaders who, like Prof. Mills, prioritised integrity, humility and service to the nation above personal or partisan interest.

Mrs Osei described the former President as a humble individual and moral compass whose legacy of ethical and compassionate leadership remained a guiding light for the nation.

“Perhaps, no quality defined Mills the man more than his humility. His humility was refreshing in a continent where political leaders are better known for a more high-handed understanding of power,” she said.

“Mills remained remarkably grounded throughout his life and his presidency.

His humility was not weakness; it was strength under control. It was the confidence of a man who knew his worth but never forgot his beginnings,” she added. 

Event

The event, organised by the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), was held on the theme: “Atta Mills: The Man, The Teacher, The President.”

Charlotte Osei delivering the lecture

It brought together dignitaries, academics, political leaders, civil society actors and students to reflect on the enduring values that shaped the life and presidency of the late statesman.

Notable personalities at the event included the Vice-President; Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, who was the chairperson for the event; the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey.

Also in attendance were ministers of state, family members of the late former President and many colleagues who worked with him. 

Principles

Speaking from a personal perspective, Mrs Osei, who was once a student of Prof. Mills at the University of Ghana and later served as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) during his presidency, highlighted his commitment to principles over political expediency.

Some dignitaries and other participants applauding Mrs Osei at the lecture. Picture: ERNEST KODZI

“Professor Mills demonstrated that ethical leadership and effective governance are not mutually exclusive.

He governed without compromising his principles or sacrificing his humanity, proving that power need not corrupt when it is anchored in strong character,” she said.

She cited international recognition of Prof. Mills’ integrity, including a tribute by Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who praised the late Ghanaian leader for upholding high ethical standards in his public and private life.

Mentorship

Mrs Osei spoke about Prof. Mills’ belief in youth development and empowerment, recounting how he deliberately appointed young professionals and women into positions of authority to help shape the country’s future.

“He identified talent, nurtured it, and gave young people space to grow and lead.

That is how he built a government of the youth and for the youth,” she said.

Mrs Osei noted that many of today’s prominent national leaders, including the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Minister of Foreign Affairs and North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, were direct beneficiaries of Prof. Mills’ leadership and mentorship.

Touching on his humility, the former EC Chairperson recounted how Prof. Mills once apologised to her after a disagreement.

“He sent me a message several months later saying, ‘You were right and I was wrong.’ That was the measure of the man, a leader secure enough to acknowledge his mistakes, even to his subordinates,” she said.

Mrs Osei described Prof. Mills’ capacity to listen to opposing views and his consistent decency in political discourse as traits that set him apart from many of his contemporaries.

Gift to the Fourth Republic

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, also reflected on the enduring values of the late president and their significance in the country’s fourth republic.

He noted that current leaders must emulate former President Mills’ legacy of tolerance, peace, and responsive governance, particularly in this era of political polarisation and public distrust.

Describing Prof. Mills as a hybrid of the old order and the aspirations of the people, Mr Debrah said the late President uniquely embodied the transition from military rule to constitutional democracy, making him a gift to the country’s fourth republic.

“He was a blend of the experience of the post-military regime and the democratic constitutional government,” he said.

“He had practical experience of what it meant for a country to continue grappling with developmental issues, lack of public trust and the ills of both perceived and actual corruption within our public space,” he added.