Ghana’s President John Atta Mills has died from throat cancer aged 68.

A statement from his office said John Atta Mills died in the country’s capital Accra a few hours after being taken ill, but did not give details.

“It is with a heavy heart…that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president of the Republic of Ghana,” the statement said.

John Atta Mills has ruled the West African country since 2009.

Ghana's President John Atta Mills has died from throat cancer aged 68

John Atta Mills’ voice has been degenerating in the last few months.

A presidential aide said the leader had complained of suffering pains on Monday evening and he died on Tuesday afternoon, Reuters reports.

John Atta Mills had returned to Ghana after visiting the US for medical checks, the news agency says.

John Atta Mills came to power after narrowly winning against a candidate from the then governing New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, in polls in December 2008.

He was to run for a second term in December.