Ghana's President John Atta Mills dies

Ghana's President John Atta Mills has died unexpectedly, a presidential statement said, and an aide said his death occurred on Tuesday after he took ill on Monday night. President John Evans Atta Mills died 1630 GMT at the 37 Military Hospital two days after celebrating his 68th birthday.

The death of the president of the world's No. 2 cocoa grower comes months before Mills 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.

"It is with a heavy heart...that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president of the Republic of Ghana," a statement sent to Reuters by the president's office said.

It said that Mills, 68, died a few hours after being taken ill but no further details were given.

A presidential aide, who asked not to be named, said the president had complained of pains on Monday evening and died early on Tuesday afternoon when his condition worsened. Rumors of the president"s deteriorating health condition had plagued his presidency.He only returned two weeks ago form the United States of America for a medical check up during which there were rumors that he had died and he upon n  his arrival at the Kotoka international Airport proceded to jog around the plane to show that he was fit and healthy. He is also rumored to have died of throat Cancer.

The President was know to be a staunch Christian.

 May his soul rest in perfect peace.