John Atta Mills

John Atta Mills won the 2008 presidential election as the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeating Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP. The election was closely contested and required a runoff.

Under Mills' presidency, Ghana began commercial oil production from the Jubilee field. The government established the Petroleum Revenue Management Act to manage oil revenues transparently.

President John Atta Mills died suddenly at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra on July 24, 2012. His death was attributed to a short illness. Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as his successor.