Accra: The family of former President Jerry John Rawlings and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has reached out to the family of the late Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, offering their sympathies following his recent passing on Sunday.
According to Ghana News Agency, the visit aimed to express condolences and provide support to the bereaved family as they prepare for the ambassador's final funeral rites. Leading the delegation were Oheneba Akwasi Abayie, Otumfuo's Akomforehene, and Colonel Joshua Agbotui, Head of the Agbotui family. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle and eldest child of the late President Rawlings and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, paid tribute to Ambassador Gbeho during a visit in Accra on Tuesday.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings highlighted Ambassador Gbeho's enduring relationship with her family, which persisted beyond the passing of her parents. She assured the Gbeho family of her family's continued support during the mourning period and in organizing the funeral. She expressed that the ambassador's relationship with her family was profound and extended condolences on their behalf.
The delegation also included Ms. Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, Ms. Amina Agyeman-Rawlings, Mr. Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, former Information Minister Fritz Baffour, Brigadier General Benjamin Kusi (Rtd), Agya Yaw Mainoo, and Madam Sylvia Ahorlu. Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah, former Foreign Minister and Attorney-General, was also present.
Madam Kiki Gbeho, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), expressed gratitude to the Agyeman-Rawlings family for their visit. She honored her late father, describing him as 'the quintessential diplomat' whose presence will be greatly missed.
Ambassador Gbeho's career included serving as Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2001 and as Member of Parliament for Anlo from 2001 to 2005. He had a distinguished diplomatic career representing Ghana in various countries, including China, India, Nigeria, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. In 1994, he was appointed as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative to Somalia and later served as President of the ECOWAS Commission from 2010 to 2012.