Autopsy Will Bring Finality, Clarity On Mills’ Death -Chieftancy Minister

The Minister of Chieftancy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has endorsed the family’s request for the autopsy report of the late President Atta Mills, emphasising that obtaining it would bring much-needed finality and clarity to the unresolved questions surrounding his death.
In a press briefing held yesterday at Ministry’s conference room in Accra, Mr. Asamoah Boateng expressed support for the Ministry’s involvement, as well as the plea from Nana Enyimfua III, Kyedomhemaa of Ekumfi Asaman for an autopsy report on Mills’ death. She stated, “if obtained, it will go a long way to put the family’s continued confusion on the cause of death of the late Atta Mills to rest”
Addressing concerns about the request for the autopsy report, the Minister questioned, “What’s wrong about the family requesting an autopsy report? Is there something in the autopsy report that is irking someone?”
He stressed the need for transparency, especially considering the mysterious circumstances surrounding President Mills’ demise.
“The circumstances surrounding his demise are shrouded in mystery. Some people don’t want it to be mentioned. They want to cloud it. They see it as an attack. That’s why it is a fact that, Mills didn’t die as an ordinary person but as a sitting President, and it was for public record. We need it. It must be recorded,” he emphasised.
Claims, questions
Responding to claims that someone possesses the autopsy report, the Chieftaincy Minister urged transparency. “Somebody said he has got the autopsy report; show it. I also heard it’s in the AMA, and I’ve checked, and there’s nothing there. But the person talking about it is a sibling. If, indeed, he has it, show it to the Abusuapanin and the entire family. What are people hiding?”
Highlighting the prolonged lack of closure on the matter, the Minister noted that it had been 12 years since Atta Mills’ passing. Mr. Asamoah Boateng believes that obtaining the autopsy report is crucial for providing guidance in handling similar situations involving public figures in the future.
“Let’s have a guide. Rumors as to when and where Mills died are still not clean. For instance, some say he died in the booth of somebody’s car. Somebody said he was left in the maternal ward. Somebody said he died in his arms,” he indicated.
Mr. Asamoah Boateng raised questions about the conflicting accounts, asking, “If Mills died in your arms at the Castle, which was in the morning, how come the Chief of Staff then issued a statement at 1:30 pm at the hospital? So, he was taken to the hospital as a corpse, then who is telling the truth?”
Facilitating role
The Minister further explained that the delegation, led by the Abusuapanin and Obaahene at the Jubilee House, sought only to express gratitude for the government’s renovation of the Asomdwe Park to a befitting level.
The Minister revealed that during the courtesy call, Ekumfi chiefs expressed disappointment with former President Mahama, stating that he did not fulfill promises during his term in office.
“It was a serious matter of soliciting for help from President Akufo-Addo. It wasn’t intended to derogate anybody. Of course, the matter veered off into another area of critical concern to the traditional family,” the Minister explained.
The visit
He emphasised that the visit was rooted in tradition, reflecting gratitude for the renovation of the Asomdwe Park, which serves as the resting place of President Mills.
The Minister said that Atta Mills, having served as the President, did not die as an ordinary person, and the responsibility of continuing development in Ekumfi falls on those who succeed him.
Mr. Asamoah Boateng clarified, “People who met the President had the legitimate right to be there. The reason is that we’ve heard a lot; that nobody sent the Abusuapanin and the Ekumfi people didn’t send him. But one thing they’re getting wrong is, this issue isn’t about Ekumfi; it’s about a family matter.”
He, therefore, urged individuals twisting the narrative to cease, stressing the importance of focusing on appreciation and gratitude.