The abrupt silence of Tuesday, 24th July 2012 still humbles all and sundry, young or old. The sizzling waters of the Ekumfi Otuam still wail and lament unabated. Trees fall but this great tree has fallen indescribably. Lakes and rivers dry up and the rains stop falling but this drought is unspeakable. The oceans ebb and come in but this flowing-away of the mighty ocean is ineffable. The beautiful flowers from the stunning valleys of the Central Region cannot blossom any longer; they have become stand-still and thirsty of the morning dew. The silence of the waters of Ekumfi Otuam is not understandable. The quietness of the voices of the fishermen of the Central Region cannot be explained. They are thirsty, though soaked in the abundance of water. The stillness of the atmosphere and the gloominess of the firmaments were a clear announcement of the departure of a great son of our land, but who could understand this in the hours before your going home on 24th July 2012. Academicians remain dumfounded and speechless. They cannot explain this theory. They don’t even understand it. They are now trying to learn the lessons of theory that cannot be explained by man. Politicians have become stationary. They are at a fix. They have lost their leader. They have no political words to describe this one. Professionals have mixed up figures and words together trying to define and calculate your death. Students stand with their mouths open ajar confused with the news they have just heard, their former lecturer is gone forever. Generations have been deprived of your memoirs. Can they imagine what you were going to write? Ministers, Deputy Ministers and all your appointees stamp their feet in disbelief. Their beloved president and father had left them without saying goodbye. Physicians stand helpless. They don’t have cure for this one. They wished they had, but it was beyond them. Priests and pastors prayed but God prevailed. Pupils yearned for better Ghana classrooms, uniforms and books but you gave them memorable lessons of your life on earth. Security personnel were awake, but couldn’t wake you up. They provided adequate security yet you could not come out of your 37. You slept alone in there. You communicated to nobody, but your Creator. The eyes of your vice president are still swollen and when and how would they dry up? Time cannot tell. Wisdom of men cannot discern. Knowledge cannot even try to guess why? God, your Creator and your good Father can explain better, but whom would He explain and why should He explain? Lessons have been learnt but the hard way. Unity seems commonplace after your death. The songs of the beautiful birds of Regimmanuel Estates have become discordant in the ears of the residents. They cannot even listen. They are perplexed and dumfounded. They have lost a great neighbour. The growling voice of “sweetie pie” cannot be heard by Her Excellency, the First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Naadu Mills, your wife, any longer. Her throat is chucked with grief. Her eyes are filled with undying tears. Her feelings and emotions can explain. Her husband, her life companion her president has left her in the middle of this life full of meaninglessness. Her voice cannot say it, her eyes cannot blink or wink, they are weary and weak. Her emotions and feelings cannot explain it. Her wisdom might seek from God. Her heart bleeds blood of tears. Her heart bleeds grief and everlasting sorrow. Her heart doubts the news in ears and her eyes were yet to see. The thump of the Ghanaian electorate has paused to rethink and decide fast whom to thump print for in the December 2012 elections. Your party cannot tell whether it will gain or lose votes. It shall be hope for history. Only time will tell. The insolence of all who insulted you will now continue to haunt them. You have been vindicated by your good, indeblible transparent works. The insulting sharp tongues of your opponents and enemies within or without have remained silent and shamed. How are they going to say it again? Where are they going to say it? When would they say it again? Why must they say it again? The indolence of non-performing appointees has come to an end. Their torpor will drive them away in the new Ghana after your departure. Your beautiful smiles, laughter and humour will be missed forever. Your humility and peace-loving nature has brought unity to mother land, Ghana. Your humble life style is on the lips of all even those who wished you death. Your peaceful kindness is being preached every second today by all and especially those who were violent against you. Your love for all has already manifested. Your selfless nationalistic nature and true love for your country and your hard work brought you down on your knees and now you lie supine. You refused to take some rest even at a time you were supposed to. It is no wonder. It is no wonder. Why, didn’t your Creator know you inside out? Why question the wisdom of God? Why question the time of God? Why question the place chosen of God? 24th July, 2012 at 37 Military Hospital, you decided to meet your Creator in peace. Ah! It is not coincidence at all that you left on 24+07+37 = 68. Ah! You had agreed with your Creator already. You had known your time already, yet the military at 37 wanted to follow and guard you. I know you smiled at them and told them this time you were alright to be left alone in freedom, but they had no vision to understand the works of your Creator. Your soul rejoices in freedom in its rightful place and today you are happier than before that you came to this world and served God and mankind. The veins of my knees felt your departure when they knelt to pray for you immediately I heard the news of your death on Joy FM Breaking News. The saliva of my tongue became thicker and stood sluggish when my mouth tried to open to say a prayer for you. The arteries of my heart ran faster when they heard the news of your death. The international community and the whole world remember you for your democratic credentials. Ghana your beloved country, honours you for your humility. Ghana your beloved country, remembers you for your hard work. Ghana your beloved country holds your candle burning and truly alight. Professor John Evans Fiifi Attah Mills, I salute you. Damirifa due! Damirifa due!! Damirifa due!!! Till we meet again, safe journey and sleep well. ©, 2012, Godwin-Xavier Ayeebo. Email: gayeebo@gmail.com