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Stop disturbing the peaceful rest of late former President Prof. John Fiifi Atta Mills!
Various dictionaries including the Oxford English Dictionary, describe colossus as a statue that is much bigger than the life size. It also means a person or thing of enormous size, importance or ability.
For example, the Russian Empire was the colossus of European politics. Simply put, an extremely important and influential politician is an example of colossus. Something likened to a huge statue, as in size or importance, there is no certain limitation to his strength and like most heroes, it is augmented by his willpower.
DILAPIDATED GRAVESIDE OF PROF. ATTA MILLS
To me, Koku Anyidoho, a former member of the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a close confidant and press secretary of the late former President of the Republic of Ghana, deserves that accolade of colossus because of attributes such as mighty, indomitable, domineering, influential, herculean, ruthless, ruling among others.
He exhibited these qualities recently in a controversy involving him, the family of the late President John Fiifi Atta Mills and the opposition NDC, over the dilapidated condition of the burial grounds and the tomb of the former President and its rehabilitation by the state-sponsored project.
Koku’s involvement in this project which was initiated by his non-governmental organisation known as Atta Mills Institute (AMI) which received state sponsorship to face-lift the final resting place of the late professor to commemorate his 10th anniversary of his death, generated heated and nasty exchanges between him and the Atta Mills’ family led by the junior brother of the late president, Samuel Atta Mills, who is the Member of Parliament for Komenda –Edina- Eguafo- Abrem Constituency in the Central Region.
The NDC party of which the former late president was a staunch member and leader of the party, later joined the fracas against Koku, backed by the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
SHAMEFUL SPECTACLE RECORDED
The accusations, insults, acrimonies, name calling and negative activities that transpired prior to the observance of the 10th anniversary of late former president and statesman, noted for his peaceful demeanor, which earned him the accolade, Asomdwehene were so distasteful, shameful and difficult to comprehend.
The family of Atta Mills led by his brother, Samuel Atta-Mills was furious that the government had allowed the Atta Mills Institute to tamper with the grave of the late former President.
According to him the current arrangement was against their custom saying, “It is not proper to allow the Non governmental Organisation (NGO) to make changes to the grave without recourse to the family. Apparently, a group calling itself Atta Mills Institute that the family does not recognise and Coastal Development Authority (CDA) have gone to break this grave of President Evans Atta Mills. Why would you go and touch somebody’s grave without informing the family? Who has the body now? This is the question I want to ask Ghanaians.”
ALLEGED DESECRATION OF ATTA MILLS’ GRAVE
The furious brother of the former late President asked the government to immediately stop the conduct of Koku Anyidoho because he was desecrating the resting place of his brother. Hear him “This is an insult to the family, this is an insult to we the Akans, this is an insult to the nation.
The government allows an NGO and Coastal Development Authority to run Asomdwe Park. Why don’t we send another NGO to go and run Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum? The government has to provide the body of President John Atta Mills. We want to find out where the body is? Who in this government is authorising this nonsense?
REFUTAL OF ALLEGATION BY KOKU ANYIDOHO
But in a sharp rebuttal to the response of the accusations, former aide to John Atta Mills and founder of the AMI, denied claims of tampering the grave of the late President. According to him, he would not dignify the insults meted out to him, insisting that his action was solely to preserve the memory of the late former President. “Nobody has tampered with anything?
What is being done is the reconstruction of the Asomdwe Park. President Mills died as President of the Republic of Ghana. Where has Sammy Atta Mills been all these years? Does he now remember that the late President was his brother? What has he done to keep the memory of his brother alive? I respect the family so much, but I will not dignify Sammy Atta Mills, “ says Koku.
NDC CRITICISES THE BUST OF PROF MILLS
The NDC minority in Parliament in a tribute expressed displeasure over the omission of the name of the late President Atta- Mills on the plaque placed beneath his bust at the Asomdwe Park.
The bust was unveiled on Sunday, July 24, 2022, by President Akufo-Addo to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the passing of the late President. A news conference held recently by the Minority, called for immediate steps to be taken to correct the anomaly.
The Minority leader who spoke on behalf of the group described the omission as unfortunate, saying the name on the plaque on the bust was to inform visitors to the park whose bust has been erected instead of the name of President Akufo-Addo and the founder of the Atta-Mills Institute, Koku Anyidoho, as those who unveiled the plaque.
“We are demanding from President Akufo-Addo and his associates such as Koku Anyidoho to do what is right and appropriate and to remind them that the office of the former President is an institutional office and it goes beyond the persona John Evans Atta-Mills,” he said.
MILLS’ FAMILY THREATENS COURT ACTION AGAINST KOKU
At the time when everybody thought the controversy was over despite the double and separate observances of wreath laying by the government and the main opposition NDC, the Senior brother of late former President and Ebusuapanyin of the family, Dr. Cadman Mills has resurrected the case, accusing Koku Anyidoho of using the Atta Mills Institute to “sow divisions and insult elders” saying that “that was not what Fiifi (Atta Mills) stood for.”
According to him, the family was considering legal action over the operation of the Atta Mills Institute, founded by Koku Anyidoho, adding that Koku was using the name of the late President to run his institute without authorisation from them.
Dr. Cadman Mills who spoke at a public lecture recently to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of President Mills, said the family had decided that it would contact its solicitors to make sure that they explore all avenues to stop Atta Mills Institute from operating.
Indeed, in the realms of eternity, the dead must rest peacefully and nothing should disturb that person who had passed on to glory from having a serene and eternal rest, even in his or her grave.
The Holy Bible says in the Book of Mathew that, those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Outside of burial ceremonies and gravestones, rest in peace has come to be used in obituaries and online to signify respect and well wishes for the beloved person who has died.
PROF. MILLS DESERVES PEACEFUL REST
This clearly reminds us that even in death, there is the need for a serene atmosphere for our beloved ones who have passed on to eternity to rest peacefully. However, in the case of our former late President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, that had not been the case at all. Ten years after his demise, his soul continues to turn in his grave without enjoying that peaceful rest, because it is being disturbed continually by his family, party faithful, close associates among other aggrieved persons in the society.
It was time the feuding parties at the centre of controversy, bury their individual differences, stop these petty bickering and rally together to accord that greatest statesman, that due and unnegotiated respect he deserved, even while at his final resting place at the Asomdwe Park, so that his soul can enjoy that peaceful and lasting rest.
Losing a sitting President is not something a nation can brood over. Let us accord this great man all the courtesies he deserved at his final resting place, because he once upon a time, sacrificed his life, time and everything for the betterment of our dear nation. Fare thee well Asomdwehene, a man of peace! Sleep well, man of many parts!
BY CHARLES NEEQUAYE
Writer’s email: ataani2000@yahoo.com
Contact: 0277753946/0248933366
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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