Ghana: President John Atta Mills dies suddenly at the age of 68

President John Atta Mills died yesterday at a military hospital in the capital, Accra. He was 68.

A statement from his office said he died a few hours after being taken ill on Monday night, but did not give details. "It is with a heavy heart ... that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the President," the statement said.

Mr Atta Mills had ruled the West African country since 2009. The BBC reported that he had been suffering from throat cancer, and his voice had degenerated over the past few months. The President had been expected to run for a second term in December.

AP