In an inspiring address at the 13th J.E.A. Mills Commemorative Lecture, Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff and Chairman of the occasion, delivered a stirring call to action for Ghana’s youth, urging them to draw strength from the legacy of the late President John Evans Atta Mills and to champion the ideals of servant leadership, democratic discipline, and moral integrity.
Speaking with reverence and resolve, Debrah highlighted the enduring values of President Mills, describing him as a symbol of calm strength, ethical leadership, and patriotic humility—a man whose life story should be etched in the hearts of the next generation of leaders.
Mr Debrah noted that Ghana’s Fourth Republic has been shaped by personalities like Professor Mills, who believed in progress through peace and transformation through truth. He emphasized that the lessons from Mills’ journey must not remain as nostalgia but as a roadmap for Ghana’s democratic renewal.
“As we commemorate his life today,” Debrah said, “we must also ignite a national consciousness among our youth to step forward—not just to inherit power, but to earn the trust of the people by walking in the path of vision, honesty, and humanity.”
The event, rich with reflection and national symbolism, also featured a powerful presentation by the keynote speaker, who framed Prof. Mills’ contribution under the lens of ‘The Man, The Teacher, and The President’—a portrait that touched both intellect and soul.
The Chief of Staff concluded with a heartfelt charge to all Ghanaians—especially the young—to stand tall in the democratic space, protect the nation’s unity, and prepare themselves not just for political ambition, but for transformational leadership that serves generations to come.
