Mentor, Teacher, President: The Man Who Believed in Ghana’s Youth” – Charlotte Osei
By: Nana Kwasi Roka
Late President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills is being celebrated not just as a scholar or statesman but as a visionary leader who intentionally and boldly empowered young people to lead Ghana’s future.
At the 13th J.E.A. Mills Memorial Lecture held in Accra, former NCCE Chairperson Charlotte Osei recounted how Prof. Mills deliberately mentored, appointed and elevated young Ghanaians – including herself – into leadership positions when many considered them “too young” or “too inexperienced.”
“He believed in us,” she declared. “He gave power and responsibility to the youth when it was not fashionable to do so. Prof was not afraid to be surrounded by competent young people – in fact, he sought them out.”
She listed prominent names who were beneficiaries of Mills’ youth-forward vision:
Hanna Tetteh – appointed Minister for Trade and later Foreign Affairs.
Haruna Iddrisu – then the youngest Cabinet Minister, leading the Communications Ministry.
Dr. Omane Boamah – appointed Deputy Minister and later Minister for Communications.
Charlotte Osei herself – made Chairperson of the NCCE at age 42, and later EC Chair.
“All of us were young. All of us were entrusted with serious national responsibilities and none of us failed him,” she said.
Prof. Mills, she noted, did not merely preach youth inclusion – he practiced it. He had no fear of being outshined by his appointees, nor did he cling to power or titles. “He lifted others without losing his shine,” she added.
Charlotte Osei emphasized that the late President believed youth should not be spectators in governance. “He believed Ghana’s young people had the intellect, discipline and moral compass to shape the nation – and he gave us the platform to do so.”
As Ghana grapples with issues of youth unemployment, underrepresentation and political tokenism, Charlotte challenged today’s leaders to emulate Mills’ boldness.
“You can’t build the future by sidelining the ones who must live it. Prof knew this – and he lived it,” she concluded.
The lecture served as both a tribute and a call to action – reminding Ghanaians that the greatest legacy any leader can leave is the people they’ve empowered.
