President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday afternoon proved that he still remains a healthy sportsman when he temporarily turned the Kotoka International Airport into a jogging ground, showcasing his ‘physical fitness’ ahead of the December elections.

The President had just touched down from a trip abroad for “a routine medical check-up” which lasted some 10 days in the United States, and in an apparent attempt to prove that he was fit and healthy, he started trotting in his suit and flying tie with executive black shoes right under the scorching sun at the airport.

He even had his dark spectacles on and kept grinning from chin to chin.

However, the president was betrayed by his shaky voice, indicating that all was not well with him. He had a nasal tone as he spoke to the crowd of well wishers.

Political analysts wondered why the return from a medical check-up trip would warrant such assemblage of NDC supporters, bused from all over the country. Government business screeched to a halt, as all ministers had dashed to the airport to pledge their loyalty in a very patronizing way.

Atta Mills arrived from the medical trip on a Delta Airline flight which touched down at exactly 12:35 pm.

Seeing the President smartly dressed in a black suit with a white long-sleeved shirt and a blue flying tie jogging around the VVIP area of the airport sent supporters into a wild cheer.

The President, who was holding a miniature Ghana flag in his left hand and pointing it towards heaven, seemed to be enjoying the cheers and started jogging even faster as he headed towards the hundreds of National Democratic Congress (NDC) members who had been bused to the airport to welcome him.

The party supporters, wearing brand new ‘Atta Mills for President’ branded T-shirts and clutching other party paraphernalia, went haywire with jubilation as they blew whistles and vuvuzelas amidst drumming and wild dancing in a carnival-like fashion.

The crowd became so excited and went into a frenzy, which nearly tore down the mounted barricade separating them and the President.

Eventually, the security personnel had to step in to control the crowd.

Speaking to the jubilant supporters in a short address a few minutes after touching down, the President said he had returned with enough energy to continue his work at the Presidency.

“The report of the doctors shows that I have strong energy enough for the past, the present and the future; and therefore I should drive from here to the Castle to do my work.”

The President disclosed that the results of his check-up were encouraging and that it was his doctors who suggested he took the check-up in the United States rather than in Ghana. “It is not an issue to have a regular medical check-up in Ghana. However my doctors felt that for one or two reasons which require more comprehension, we should go outside the country,” he added.

President Mills was met on arrival by a high-powered government delegation led by Vice President John Mahama and almost all Ministers of State and government officials who abandoned their offices for the ceremony.

Also at the airport to welcome the President were the NDC National Chairman Kwabena Adjei, General Secretary Asiedu Nketia and several other top party officials, with Yaw Boateng Gyan, National Organiser virtually acting like a bodyguard to the president.

Also at the airport was the Resident Pastor of the Action Christian Faith Ministries, Bishop James Saah, who said special prayers and invoked God’s blessings and protection for the President before the arrival and welcoming ceremony commenced.

The flag-bearer of the opposition People’s National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga, was also there to welcome the president and was given a place at the side of the president.

According to Mr. Ayariga, his presence at the airport was to demonstrate how far Ghana’s democracy had come.

Routine Check-Up

President Mills last week Saturday travelled to the United Sates for what government described as a “routine medical check-up”. Prior to his departure, speculations were rife on social media networks that he had died of ill health.

The speculations compelled him to have a pre-departure press conference where he dispelled the reports of his death and explained the reason for his trip to journalists.

At the airport yesterday, President Mills urged the members of his party to work together, adding: “We in the NDC have a job to do. Let us make use the opportunity that has been given to us”.

He also expressed gratitude to all persons who prayed for him, saying God was in control.