Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills died on July 24 in Accra at the age of 68. The following are his profile:

Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills [File photo]

John Evans Atta Mills was born at Tarkwa, near Takoradi, 218 km west of the capital, in the Western region of the country on July 21, 1944.

He however hailed from Ekumfi Otuam in the Central Region of Ghana.

Mills attended the Achimota Secondary (High) School, where he completed the Advanced Level Certificate in 1963.

He then proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon, where he received a Bachelor's Degree and Professional Certificate in Law in 1967.

While earning his PhD in Oriental and African Studies from the University of London at the age of 27, then Dr. Mills was selected as a Fulbright Scholar at Stanford Law School (USA).

Prof. Mills' first formal teaching assignment was as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon where he spent more than 25 years imparting acquired knowledge to students, and rose from the position of lecturer to Associate Professor.

His contribution to the University was remarkable, having served on numerous Boards, Committees, and Schemes. Also during those twenty five years, Prof. Mills travelled as a Visiting Lecturer and Professor to Temple University (USA) and Leiden University (Holland), and presented research papers at Symposiums and Conferences throughout the world.

His track record of financial knowledge and strong professional credentials led to several important appointments. In 1988, Prof. J.E. Atta Mills became the Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service of Ghana and named Commissioner in September 1996.

In 1997, Prof. Mills became the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and served in that capacity with former President Jerry John Rawlings in 2000.

On Jan. 3, 2009, Prof. Mills was declared by the Electoral Commission as the President-elect of Ghana after a second presidential run-off of the 2008 Presidential Elections.

Prof. Mills was sworn into office as Executive President of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.

He paid a state visit to China from Sept. 19 to Sept. 24, 2010 as Ghanaian President.

Mills is the Presidential candidate for ruling National Democratic Congress for the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections this December.

Mills has been in USA for a nine day medical check-up this June.

As an advocate for recreation, active sportsman and sports fan, Prof. Mills supported the community through groups such as the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sport Council of Ghana, and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.

Prof Mills was married to Ernestina Naadu Mills, an educationist, and has a son.

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