By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, Feb. 19, GNA – The Diaspora African Forum (DAF) Embassy has mourned the passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, civil rights leader and founding board member of the Embassy.
Reverend Jackson passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at about 0200 hours.
In a statement issued in Accra, Dr Erieka Bennett, Ambassador of the DAF Embassy, expressed condolences to the family and described Reverend Jackson as a global symbol of courage, resilience and commitment to justice.
“His spirit and legacy have impacted the world and will live on forever,” she said.
The statement noted that Reverend Jackson was a tireless advocate for civil rights, human dignity and equality, whose life’s work shaped the global struggle for social justice.
“As a founding board member of the DAF Embassy, he played a pivotal role in advancing the empowerment of marginalised communities and fostering unity among people of African descent worldwide,” it said.
It stated that his leadership and vision inspired generations through initiatives such as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, dedicated to economic justice, political empowerment and social change.
The statement recalled his historic bid for the presidency of the United States, noting that his candidacy broke barriers and marked a significant moment in global Black political history.
It said his contributions to civil and human rights were enduring and would continue to influence future generations.
The statement announced that a book of condolence would be opened from Thursday, February 19 to February 26, 2026, at the DAF Embassy located at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre.
It said Ms Claudette Perry, a founding member of the DAF Embassy who opened the mission in 2007 alongside Reverend Jackson and a current executive of Black Press USA, was in Ghana and would commence the signing of the book of condolence.
The statement added that Reverend Jackson would be honoured on the historic Sankofa Wall at the Diaspora Embassy.
It reaffirmed that the DAF Embassy remained the first and only diplomatic mission dedicated to serving the African Diaspora globally.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey