Washington, DC--Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) expressed their sympathy to the family of Ghanaian President John Atta Mills, and the people of Ghana, after the untimely death of President Mills today.  Sen. Harkin and Rep. Engel are the authors of the Harkin-Engel Protocol, an initiative aimed to combat the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa growing sectors of West Africa.

“President Mills was a friend and ally in the fight to free the chocolate industry of abuses of child laborers.  My thoughts and prayers are with First Lady Dr. Ernestina Naadu-Mills, their family and all of Ghana as they mourn his death.  This is a sad day for Ghana.  Our partnership with President Mills has brought us a long way towards our goals with the Harkin-Engel Protocol, and his leadership and friendship will be greatly missed,” said Rep. Engel.

“My thoughts and prayers are with First Lady Dr. Ernestina Naadu-Mills, the Mills family and all of the people of Ghana today,” said Harkin.  “Under President Mills’ leadership, the country of Ghana has worked hand-in-hand with our country as partners to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.   His friendship, dedication, and good grace will be greatly missed, but will continue to inspire us for years to come.”

Senator Harkin and Congressman Engel have partnered with the governments of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the International Chocolate and Cocoa Industry to combat the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa sectors of these West-African countries.

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