Atta Mills believed peace was the real power — Charlotte Osei

Former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei has described the late President John Evans Atta Mills as a rare political figure who viewed peace not as weakness, but as the strongest weapon of leadership.

Delivering the keynote at the 13th J.E.A. Mills Memorial Lecture in Accra, Mrs. Osei said Mills’ commitment to peace was not simply about avoiding conflict, but about safeguarding the dignity and well-being of ordinary citizens.

“He always reminded us that when there is no peace, it’s not the elites who suffer — it’s the ordinary people who elected us,” she said. “That belief shaped how he governed, how he mentored, and how he treated even his fiercest critics.”

According to Osei, Mills did not just preach peace; he practiced it in every sphere of his life — as a lecturer, mentor, and head of state. She recounted how his quiet guidance stayed with her even after his death.

“I remember Prof telling us as students that ‘as far as possible, we should make sure we are not the reason for anyone losing their job.’ That principle stayed with me in public life, even when it cost me,” she said.

She noted that in an era where political discourse is increasingly confrontational and zero-sum, Prof. Mills offered a different model — one rooted in empathy, restraint, and moral clarity.

“He wasn’t passive. He was deliberate. He chose peace because he understood that anger may win the moment, but only peace builds nations.”

Mills, who passed away while serving as president in 2012, was widely known for his calm demeanour and non-retaliatory politics — qualities that earned him respect across the political aisle even after his death.

“Prof. Mills showed us that you can be principled and still be peaceful. That you can stand firm without shouting. And that silence, when grounded in conviction, is more powerful than noise.”

The event brought together dignitaries including members of government, the diplomatic corps, academia, civil society and youth groups, all of whom gathered to reflect on a legacy many consider a moral compass for the Fourth Republic.