A video has surfaced of President John Dramani Mahama narrating how he received the news of the death of the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
In the video, which has resurfaced on X, President Mahama narrated the emotional moment he learned about the passing of Atta Mills.
According to John Mahama, he collapsed in his chair and broke down crying like a baby after receiving the devastating news that the president had died.
Speaking to KSM in the resurfaced video, John Mahama narrated, “If I remember properly, it was about 2:30 pm when I got a call from the Chief of Staff. He asked where I was, and I told him I was just leaving to come and join them at the hospital. He then told me to wait in my office and that there was no need to come because the president had just passed away. This was about 2:30 or shortly before that.
“It was a very sad day. I just collapsed in my chair, broke down, and wept like a baby. It’s not something I like to recall. That same evening, here you are, having to be sworn in as president,” he said.
Mahama further narrated, “My ADC locked up my office, so I was there by myself, just trying to gather my thoughts. I stayed there for about an hour when the Speaker, the Attorney General, and some other officials came to see me. My ADC called me on the intercom and said they wanted to see me, so I went into the washroom, washed my face, and tried to compose myself.
“They came in and said they had referred to the Constitution and that the swearing-in had to take place immediately. I protested because I thought we could do it the next day. I didn’t see how I could bring myself to go through a ceremony like that after receiving such tragic news. But they insisted and explained that, by the provisions of the Constitution, there could not be a vacuum in leadership,” he added.
It will be recalled that back in July 2012, Ghana’s Vice-President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as Ghana’s leader following the sudden death of President John Atta Mills, in line with the 1992 constitution.
Mahama took the oath of office as head of state before a sombre parliament on Wednesday, hours after the announcement of Mills’ death on Tuesday afternoon.
“This is the saddest day in our nation’s history. Tears have engulfed our nation, and we are deeply saddened and distraught,” Mahama said after being sworn in.
“I never imagined that one day that it would place our nation in such a difficult circumstance. I’m personally devastated, I’ve lost a father, I’ve lost a friend, I’ve lost a mentor and a senior comrade,” he said.
“Ghana is united in grief at this time for our departed president.”
Reports suggest the president’s office said that Mills, who had celebrated his 68th birthday some days ago, died a few hours after being taken ill, with no further details given.
A presidential aide also disclosed that the president had complained of pains on Monday evening and died early Tuesday afternoon when his condition worsened.
Watch the video below:
Quiet sad to watch🥹😌 pic.twitter.com/E4nVu3gVFU
— 0wura🥷🏾 (@Twum_111) March 17, 2026