president Attah Mills

"It is with a heavy heart...that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president of the Republic of Ghana," statement from the president's office. 
John Attah Mills, 68, who died a few hours having complained of pains on Monday evening and died on Tuesday after his condition declined

The death of the president of the world's No. 2 cocoa grower comes months before he was due to stand for re-election at the helm of the West African country that posted double-digit growth in 2011 and has been praised for its strong democracy in a turbulent region.

The late president spent much of his career teaching at the University of Ghana. He earned a doctorate from London's School of Oriental and African Studies before becoming a Fulbright scholar at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Atta Mills also served as vice-president under Jerry Rawlings, a coup leader who was later elected president by popular vote and surprised the world by stepping down after the 2000 vote.

"President Mills tirelessly worked to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people.  He helped promote economic growth in Ghana in the midst of challenging global circumstances and strengthened Ghana’s strong tradition of democracy. Under his leadership, the United States and Ghana deepened our partnership in the promotion of good governance and economic development. He was also a strong advocate for human rights and for the fair treatment of all Ghanaians.

He was however replaced immediately by Vice-President President John Mahama's whose inauguration is to underscored Ghana's stability in a part of the world where the deaths of other leaders have sparked coups.

"We are deeply distraught, devastated as a country," Mahama said after his swearing-in ceremony, where he raised the golden staff of office above his head.