Quick Facts
Biography
Ernestina Naadu Mills (née Botchway) is an educator and former First Lady of Ghana. She was the wife of former Ghanaian president John Atta Mills (21 July 1944 – 24 July 2012), and is the recipient of a Humanitarian award from the Health Legend Foundation.
Early life, education and career
Mills was born in Accra to Cornelius Teye Botchway and Madam Alberta Abetso Abbey, and attended Aburi Girl's Secondary School on scholarship. After receiving her certificate, she spent two years training as a teacher at the Specialist Training College (STC) in Winneba, taught at Kotobabi (One) Mixed Middle School for two years, then returned to STC to obtain a Diploma in Home Economics. After graduating, she returned to Aburi Girl's Secondary School to teach Clothing and Textile Design for nine years.
Political life
Her husband was selected as vice presidential running mate to Jerry John Rawlings when he ran for a second term as President of Ghana in 1996, becoming second lady from 1996-2000. When Mills was elected president of Ghana in 2009, she became First Lady from 2009-2012. Mills died in 2012 while in office.