The Republic of Ghana is mourning the loss of one of its most eminent statesmen, James Victor Gbeho, who passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at a hospital in Ghana.
He was 91 years old.
Ambassador Gbeho, a former Minister for Foreign Affairs and former President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, died peacefully surrounded by family, five months after celebrating his 91st birthday on January 12, 2026.
Born in Keta in the Volta Region, Ambassador Gbeho dedicated his life to public service, distinguishing himself as a lawyer, diplomat, and politician of exceptional caliber.
He served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2001 under the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Subsequently, he represented the Anlo Constituency in Parliament from 2001 to 2005 and later served as a foreign policy adviser to the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
His illustrious diplomatic career spanned more than three decades, with key postings to China, India, Nigeria, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.
He notably 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 with distinction until 2012.
His tenure was widely respected for advancing regional integration, conflict resolution, and diplomatic cohesion across West Africa.
Ambassador Gbeho hailed from a family of profound national legacy.
He was the son of Philip Gbeho, the renowned composer of Ghana’s national anthem, and an uncle of the late celebrated broadcaster Komla Dumor.
Tributes are expected to pour in from political leaders, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and former colleagues, all recognizing his monumental contributions to Ghanaian foreign policy and international relations.
The family has announced that details regarding funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.
