Power that fears criticism is already bankrupt — Charlotte Osei

Former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, has described the late President John Evans Atta Mills as an exceptional leader who welcomed honest criticism and proved that power could be exercised with humility and integrity.

Delivering the keynote address at the 13th John Evans Atta Mills Commemorative Lecture held in Accra, Mrs. Osei offered a deeply personal account of Mills’ leadership, revealing moments that demonstrated his tolerance for dissent and his openness to correction.

The event was held under the theme “Atta Mills: A Case Study for the Fourth Republic,” and brought together a cross-section of Ghanaians, including political leaders, diplomats, civil society actors, students, and members of the Mills family.

Recounting her working relationship with the late president, Charlotte Osei said Mills once reversed a decision after she disagreed with him — a gesture she said left a lifelong impression.

“His approach to leadership emboldened me on two occasions to tell him that I thought a decision he took was wrong, and in another case, unfair,” she told the audience.

“He took the criticism calmly. We argued as lawyers, and eventually, in one matter, months later, I got a message ‘You were right and I was wrong.’ That was such an emotional moment for me, and a great lesson in leadership.”

“Power that fears criticism is already bankrupt”, the former EC Chairperson stated.

According to Mrs. Osei, Prof. Mills was a leader who built confidence in others and created room for growth, especially among the youth and emerging professionals. She said his leadership style — marked by calmness, honesty, and quiet moral authority — is increasingly rare in today’s polarised political environment.

“He saw potential where others saw youth. He offered opportunity where others saw inexperience, and he built bridges where others saw divisions.”

As the first woman to head the National Commission for Civic Education, a role to which she was appointed by Prof. Mills in 2011, she said she experienced firsthand a president who believed in mentoring and empowering capable people — regardless of age or gender.

Mrs. Osei criticized the growing intolerance within public leadership today and said the example Mills set must be reclaimed if Ghana’s democracy is to deepen.

“Criticism should not be feared by the powerful; it should be welcomed by the wise,” she stressed. “That’s the kind of maturity President Mills showed — the kind that sees disagreement not as disloyalty, but as a healthy necessity for strong governance.”

Now 13 years after his passing, the former EC Chair said Mills’ legacy continues to guide her public and private life, and that the enduring respect he commands even in death is proof that authentic leadership is not forgotten.

“You can’t fake legacy,” she said. “Time always tells.”

The lecture formed part of annual national efforts to reflect on the contribution of the late president, who served from 2009 until his death in office on July 24, 2012. Other speakers throughout the programme echoed similar sentiments about his humility, fairness, and commitment to national peace.

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Mrs. Osei challenged today’s political leaders — and especially the youth — to reflect deeply on the Mills example, and to treat criticism not as a threat, but as a gift.

“He remains our eternal teacher,” she said. “And in these times, that lesson — that power without humility is dangerous — must not be forgotten.”