Ghana has lost one of its most distinguished diplomats and statesmen, James Victor Gbeho, who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission.
Family sources confirmed that Ambassador Gbeho died at a hospital on Saturday, June 13, after a lifetime of dedicated service to Ghana, the West African sub-region and the international community.
Born on January 12, 1935, at Keta, Ambassador Gbeho was 91 years old. He celebrated his 91st birthday in January this year.
A lawyer, diplomat and politician, Ambassador Gbeho served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2001 under the administration of Jerry John Rawlings.
He later represented the Anlo Constituency in Parliament from 2001 to 2005 and subsequently served as foreign policy adviser to the late John Evans Atta Mills.
His diplomatic career spanned several decades, during which he served in key postings in China, India, Nigeria, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. He also served as Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 1980 to 1990 and held ambassadorial assignments in Geneva and other international capitals.
In 2010, Ambassador Gbeho was unanimously elected President of the ECOWAS Commission, a position he held until 2012. During his tenure, he was widely recognised for promoting regional integration, cooperation and diplomacy across West Africa.
Ambassador Gbeho came from a family noted for its contribution to national development. He was the son of Philip Gbeho, the composer of Ghana’s national anthem, and an uncle of the late Komla Dumor.
Tributes are expected from political leaders, diplomats, former colleagues and international organisations in recognition of his contributions to Ghana’s foreign policy and international relations.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
