25 July 2012: The Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group Secretariat H.E Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas has expressed his deepest condolences over the death of the President of his native Ghana, H.E Professor John Atta Mills on Tuesday 24 July 2012. “The entire ACP family share the loss and grief of Her Excellency Naadu Mills and their immediate family, as well as the Government and the people of Ghana,” stated the Secretary General. “The late President was among the foremost crop of Ghanaian intellectuals who laid the foundations of the democracy that our country enjoys today. As a lawyer and jurist, he belonged among the galaxy of brilliant stars that Ghana has ever produced. As a statesman, he governed our country with even-handedness, compassion and humility, as he steadfastly worked to consolidate the peace, stability, good governance and inclusive development Ghana has enjoyed over the last few decades.” On behalf of the ACP Group of States, the Secretary General extended his best wishes to the new Head of State, H.E Mr John Dramani Mahama, affirming his support towards the success of his administration and the continuation and enrichment of the late President’s legacy. He expressed the hope that under President Mahama, the strong bonds between the Republic of Ghana and the ACP Secretariat will continue to be strengthened.