Ghana's President
John Atta Mills, who won international praise as leader of a stable model
democracy in Africa, died suddenly on Tuesday and will be succeeded by his
vice-president in the West African oil, gold and cocoa producer, officials
said.
Mills was 68. The
unexpected death of the leader of the world's Number two cocoa grower comes
months before he was due to stand for re-election in December.
Ghana, also a
major African gold producer, started pumping oil in 2010 and posted
double-digit growth in 2011, burnishing its image as an increasingly attractive
investment destination on the continent. It was praised for its healthy
democracy.
"It is with a
heavy heart ... that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president
of the Republic of Ghana," a statement sent to Reuters by the president's
office said.
Vice President
John Dramani Mahama would be sworn in to replace Mills under Ghana's
constitution, officials said.
The president's
office said that Mills, who celebrated his 68th birthday on Saturday, died a
few hours after being taken ill, but no further details were given.
A presidential
aide, who asked not to be named, said the president had complained of pains on
Monday evening and died early on Tuesday afternoon when his condition worsened.
Mills had returned
from medical checks in the United States a few weeks ago.
Ghana's election
commission said December's presidential and parliamentary elections would go
ahead as planned.
"The election
calendar remains unchanged - it's purely a party matter," election chief
Kwadwo Afari-Gyan told Reuters, explaining that it was up to the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC) to find a candidate to replace Mills.
Kenya's President
Mwai Kibaki sent a message of condolence to the people of the Republic of Ghana
following the death of President Atta Mills.