The African Youth Command (AYC) has extended its sympathies to the widow, Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, the family, the sitting President and the people of Ghana.

It said it was yet to come to grips with the reality of the sudden passing away of the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

A statement issued on Monday and signed by its Life Patron, Mr. Kweku Yakubu, said AYA took cognizance of the momentous fight mounted by the former President, to continue the emancipation struggle by the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to restore the dignity of the black race.

It said the late President and Professor, introduced a new dimension into the continental and Ghanaian political life by his exemplary character of tolerance, humility and respect for the Rule of Law, whilst laying at the same time the structures for sound and stable economic and social infrastructure for the people of Ghana.

The statement continued that the Command in recognition for his noble contribution, called on the sitting President, John Dramani Mahama, to rename the University of Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta Region as Professor John Evans Atta Mills University, as a befitting memorial to him for his immense contribution to the growth of education in Ghana.

The Command further called on President Mahama to also rename the universities of Energy and Natural Resources in the Brong Ahafo Region and the University of Development Studies in Tamale after former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings respectively, for their noble contributions to the nation.

This, in the view of the AYC, would further cement the peace and unity the country was now experiencing, after the untimely demise of the late President Mills.

The statement maintained that it would also be a sign of appreciation to all past leaders of the country instead of waiting for their demise before honoring them.

The AYC said it would forever remember the memory of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, for instituting the historic National Farmers Day, as a statutory public holiday in the everlasting honor of the Founder and first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.**