Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has described late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills as the best president Ghana has produced under the Fourth Republic, citing his integrity and leadership in the fight against corruption.
Speaking in an interview on January 6, Mr Kpebu said he would, without hesitation, vote for Atta Mills when asked who the best president of the Fourth Republic was, even though the former president served a relatively short term in office. He stressed that the length of Atta Mills’ tenure did not diminish the quality of his leadership.
To support his claim, Mr Kpebu recounted an incident at the Tema Port during Atta Mills’ presidency. According to him, customs officers reportedly ran away upon seeing the president arrive, apparently out of fear of being associated with wrongdoing. He said Atta Mills stopped them and told them not to run, adding that he was human. Mr Kpebu said the incident reflected the respect and fear inspired by the former president’s reputation for integrity.
He said Atta Mills’ personal honesty strengthened the fight against corruption and set a standard that influenced governance and accountability. Mr Kpebu added that such upright leadership contributed to Ghana’s international standing, including the visit by former United States President Barack Obama.
Mr Kpebu concluded that Atta Mills “stands tall” among Ghana’s Fourth Republic presidents.