Mahama honours James Victor Gbeho’s legacy of service and diplomacy

President John Dramani Mahama on Friday honoured the late Ambassador James Victor Gbeho’s lifetime of dedicated service to Ghana and the international community, describing him as a distinguished statesman, diplomat and nation builder whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.

The President joined family members, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and mourners at the state funeral of the former Foreign Affairs Minister and former President of the ECOWAS Commission.

In a tribute delivered on his behalf by Presidential Adviser and Special Aide, Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, President Mahama said Ambassador Gbeho embodied integrity, professionalism and patriotism throughout more than five decades of public service.

Born in January 1935 in Keta in the Volta Region, Ambassador Gbeho was the son of Philip Gbeho, who arranged Ghana’s National Anthem. According to the tribute, he inherited a profound sense of duty to the nation and devoted his life to advancing Ghana’s interests at home and abroad.

“Representing one’s country was not simply an assignment but a sacred trust,” the President said, adding that wherever Ambassador Gbeho served, “Ghana’s flag flew a little higher because it was represented by a man of exceptional integrity, sound judgment and remarkable intellect.”

President Mahama highlighted Ambassador Gbeho’s decade-long service as Ghana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 1980 to 1990, describing it as one of the longest and most distinguished diplomatic postings in the country’s history.

He also praised the late diplomat’s tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs under President Jerry John Rawlings from 1997 to 2001, recalling that he had the privilege of serving alongside him in Parliament during that period and witnessing his unwavering commitment to Ghana’s national interest.

The tribute further recognised Ambassador Gbeho’s international assignments as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, ECOWAS Special Representative for Liberia and later President of the ECOWAS Commission, where he played key roles in promoting peacebuilding, dialogue and regional integration.

President Mahama also acknowledged Ambassador Gbeho’s service as Senior Adviser to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, describing him as a trusted counsellor who continued to place his wealth of experience at the service of the Republic.

Describing him as one of Ghana’s rare nation builders, the President said Ambassador Gbeho never sought personal glory but remained committed to serving his country with honour.

“His voice may now be silent, but the respect he earned for Ghana will continue to speak long after his generation has passed,” the tribute said.