The Ministry of Tourism has received messages of condolence from international organisations on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Ghana, following the demise of H.E. Prof John Evans Atta Mills. In a letter addressed to Hon. Akua Sena Dansua (MP), Minister of Tourism, the UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, had this to say: “it is with great sadness that we have learned of the sudden and premature death, last Tuesday, of His Excellency, Prof John Evans Atta Mills, President of Ghana. The World Tourism Organisation extends its condolences to the Government and people of Ghana upon the passing of such an eminent figure who marked the history of the country. With our renewed condolences, please accept, dear Minister, the assurances of highest consideration”. In a related development, H.E. Claude Maerten, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Ghana, and a great advocate for tourism development in the country, also in a letter of condolence to the people of Ghana through the Tourism Minister said: “it is with deep sadness that we have learned of the sudden loss of President Evans Atta Mills. His honesty, kindness and commitment to his people were examples for politicians everywhere. His demise is a great loss not only for Ghana but for African politics and leadership. His guidance and wisdom will be surely missed”. He concluded “our thoughts are with the people of Ghana and the family of the President as they mourn their loss. On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Africa Travel Association, the apex body of Tourism Associations in Africa, Mr. Edward Bergman, extended the Association’s heartfelt condolences on the sudden and untimely death of the late President. He said: “His passing is a huge loss for the Nation but he has left behind a great legacy of a committed and compassionate leader who worked tirelessly for the development of the country and the benefit of the people of Ghana.” The statement concluded that “President Mills was well respected among his peers for his meaningful and positive contributions to the African continent as a whole and will be missed” Meanwhile, another message from CNN International signed by its Vice President responsible for Africa and the Middle East, Reme Al-Saiegh said “I will like to express my sincere condolences on the recent tragic loss that your Country and colleagues are suffering. The loss of His Excellency John Atta Mills is a profoundly devastating and shocking one, and we at CNN want to send our deepest sympathies to the President’s family and the Ghanaian nation as a whole. Our thoughts are with you, your colleagues and your compatriots at this difficult time. “ Sgd. Boakye-Boateng Prince Director, Public Relations