Following the sudden death of Ghana's President John Atta Mills' yesterday. His Vice-President John Dramani Mahama, was sworn in as care taker head of state to replace him, before a sombre parliament, just hours after the announcement of President John Atta Mills' death.

Mills had won international praise for presiding over a stable model democracy in Africa. The chief Justice led the in vesture ceremony with Mahama holding the sword of honour. He then addressed the assembly expressing his grief at the sudden loss of the former President.

The death came after Atta Mills had celebrated his 68th birthday on Saturday. There were rumours about his ill health, after Mills had returned from medical checks in the United States a few weeks ago. Some reports by local newspapers speculated he had throat cancer, other reports mentioned a sinus-related affliction. Mills had been due to stand for election as part of the expected elections in December, which have been confirmed as still going ahead as planned.

Written and Presented by Ann Salter