President John Mahama has described one of Ghana’s long serving diplomats, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, as a leader who did not seek greatness, but sought to only serve and greatness found him.
Paying his tribute to the former envoy, President Mahama said though his voice may be silent, he has earned the Ghana’s respect unmatched.
President Mahama’s tribute was read on his behalf by Mers Joyce Bawa Moqtari at the funeral on July 31.
“From the earliest days of his career in Ghana’s Foreign Service, Ambassador Gbeho understood that representing one’s country was not simply an assignment, but a sacred trust. For more than five decades, he carried that responsibility with uncommon professionalism, quiet confidence, and unwavering patriotism,” the President said.
“Wherever he served, Ghana’s flag flew a little higher because it was represented by a man of exceptional integrity, sound judgment, and remarkable intellect. His decade as Ghana’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in New York from 1980 to 1990 remains one of the longest and most distinguished diplomatic postings in our history. During a period of profound global change, he projected Ghana’s voice with dignity, principle, and clarity,” Mrs Moqtari read.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has disclosed plans to name one of the facilities in its new ministerial block after the late Ambassador James Victor Gbeho in honour of his remarkable contribution to Ghana’s diplomacy and public service.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa made the announcement while delivering a tribute at the state funeral of the former Foreign Affairs Minister and former President of the ECOWAS Commission on Friday, July 31.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the decision to honour the late diplomat was jointly taken with the management of the Ministry.
“In recognition of Victor Gbeho’s remarkable service and contribution to the nation, I, along with the management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have decided to name one of our facilities in our new ministerial block after him to immortalise his memory,” he announced.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said Ambassador Gbeho’s influence extended far beyond Ghana, noting that his decades of service at the national, regional and international levels left an enduring impact on diplomacy, peacebuilding and public administration.
He described the late diplomat as a disciplined and principled public servant whose career demonstrated that patriotism is best expressed through competence, integrity and sacrifice.
Paying his final respects, Mr. Ablakwa said Ghana had lost “an exceptional statesman,” Africa had lost “a devoted peacemaker,” and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had lost one of its finest sons.
Ambassador James Victor Gbeho died on June 14, 2026, at the age of 91, bringing to an end a diplomatic and political career spanning more than six decades.
Born on January 12, 1935, in Keta in the Volta Region, he served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2001 under former President Jerry John Rawlings. He also represented the Anlo Constituency in Parliament, served as foreign policy adviser to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, and held diplomatic postings in China, India, Nigeria, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, playing a pivotal role in advancing Ghana’s foreign policy and international relations.
