President John Dramani Mahama has paid tribute to former Foreign Affairs Minister and ECOWAS Commission President Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, describing him as one of Ghana’s finest diplomats and public servants.
Speaking at the state funeral of the late diplomat on Friday, July 31, President Mahama said Ambassador Gbeho’s commitment to national service helped strengthen Ghana’s reputation internationally.
The President noted that Ambassador Gbeho approached diplomacy with a strong sense of responsibility, professionalism and patriotism, adding that he considered representing Ghana abroad a duty of great importance.
He highlighted the diplomat’s decade-long role as Ghana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 1980 to 1990, where he played a key part in advancing Ghana’s interests on the global stage.
President Mahama also recognised Ambassador Gbeho’s wider contributions beyond Ghana’s borders, including his involvement in peace efforts in Africa. He served as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, ECOWAS Special Representative for Liberia, and later became President of the ECOWAS Commission.
According to President Mahama, Ambassador Gbeho’s influence extended beyond his official positions, with his work helping to shape institutions and inspire future generations of diplomats.
Ambassador James Victor Gbeho passed away on June 14, 2026, at the age of 91. His career in public service spanned more than six decades.
Born on January 12, 1935, in Keta in the Volta Region, Ambassador Gbeho served as Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister from 1997 to 2001. He later represented the Anlo Constituency in Parliament between 2001 and 2005.
Throughout his diplomatic career, he held postings in several countries, including China, India, Nigeria, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
