Former EC chairperson Charlotte Osei was a student of the late Prof John Evans Atta Mills
Former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, has shared a deeply personal account of her interactions with the late President John Evans Atta Mills, revealing how the former president once admitted he had made a wrong decision.
Speaking at the 13th John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Lecture in Accra on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Charlotte Osei recalled a disagreement she had with the late President over a decision she believed was wrong and unfair.
“I told him plainly that I believed his decision was wrong. And in another instance, I said it was unfair because he hadn’t listened to the other party.
“We argued as lawyers and he responded with his usual calmness,” she said.
According to her, the matter was discussed privately, where she told the late President that he had not listened to all sides before arriving at his decision.
Although he disagreed with her at the time, he responded with calmness and mutual respect.
“Months later, I received a message from him that said, ‘You were right, and I was wrong,’” she disclosed.
She described the moment as deeply emotional and a powerful demonstration of leadership grounded in humility.
She said the experience taught her that, “Power that fears criticism is already bankrupt.”
According to her, such openness to feedback and willingness to correct mistakes set the late President apart from many political leaders, especially in a region where leadership is often associated with defensiveness and control.
“His kind of leadership taught me that admitting fault doesn’t diminish your authority. It strengthens it,” she added.
Describing Mills’ presidency as one that left an “indelible mark” on Ghana, she noted that his humility was not a sign of weakness but a sign of true inner strength, “strength under control.”
The 13th Anniversary Commemorative Lecture was held in memory of the late President John Evan Atta Mills, who passed away while serving in office on July 24, 2012.
The event honoured his legacy of peace, tolerance, and ethical leadership.
AS/VPO
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