From: Stephen A.Quaye, Toronto-Canada

The untimely death of the president of the republic of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills on July 24, 2012 has taken Ghanaians living in Canada by surprise as they least expected it to happen so soon.
For quite some time now there have been rumors about his death whiles in actual fact he was alive and kicking proving all rumour mongers wrong that he was dead.
Although from all indications one could point to the fact that he was ill, in fact no one least expected his untimely death to occur on July 24,2012 where a couple of weeks ago he jog at The Kotoka International Airport upon arrival from medical check up from America.
A visit to pockets of areas where majority of Ghanaians live in Toronto revealed how shocked members were over the news of the passing soul of the president.
Driving through the areas, it was observed that some houses were silent whiles others played dirge music to send a message out that they were mourning the passing out of the president.
With a big shout of “Menua Y3 W3 Ayiemu” Mr. Osei Kwame Hams gave this reporter an indication that he was aware of the news of the passing of the president Atta Mills.
He said the president passed away from an illness which can happen to anyone. “Though I was shocked when the news got to me, what I said was we have to do what we can to protect the country and ensure that peace prevails whiles we move it forward in the absence of the late president” he sympathized with Ghanaians.
Mrs. Mary Osei, also said she least expected the untimely death of the president so when her children called to tell her she picked the phone and called Ghana to double check and lo and behold it was true.
“I thought he was a fine gentleman who had no problem with anybody including his political opponents and even those who attacked him personally. His death is shocking and I prayed that the good God will keep his soul till we meet again” she sounded sympathetic.
The shocking news of the president came in at the time where many Ghanaians were at their various work places discharging their duties of the day.
Some got calls from their children, partners, as well as friends from both Ghana and here in Toronto-Canada informing them of what had happened.
Others got the news via international news cables such as Cable News Network CNN, British Broadcasting Corporation BBC, Canada Broadcasting Corporation as well as some Ghanaian media networks.
The Ghanaian community in Toronto and for that matter the whole Canada wishes to send its message of condolence to the government, the bereaved family and the entire citizenry back home.
End.