Accra, June 19, GNA – The family of former President Jerry John Rawlings and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has commiserated with the family of the late Ambassador James Victor Gbeho following his passing last Sunday.
The visit was to express condolences to the bereaved family and to offer support as preparations are made for his final funeral rites.
The delegation was led by 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 Jerry John Rawlings and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, paid tribute to Ambassador Gbeho during the visit in Accra on Tuesday.
She said Ambassador Gbeho maintained a longstanding relationship with the Agyeman-Rawlings family, which endured beyond the passing of former President Rawlings and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings assured the Gbeho family of the continued support of her family during the period of mourning and in the organisation of the funeral.
She described the late Ambassador as a person whose relationship with her family was difficult to express in words and extended condolences on behalf of the family.
The delegation conveyed condolences to the children, siblings and extended family members of the late diplomat.
Other members of the delegation 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.
Also present was Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, former Foreign Minister and Attorney-General.
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 appreciation to the Agyeman-Rawlings family for the visit.
She paid tribute to her late father, describing him as “the quintessential diplomat”, and said he would be greatly missed.
Madam Gbeho said her father understood the protocols required in all circumstances and had made significant contributions to Ghana, West Africa and the international community.
Ambassador Gbeho served as Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2001 and as Member of Parliament for Anlo from 2001 to 2005.
He previously served in Ghana’s diplomatic missions in China, India, Nigeria, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
In 1994, he was appointed United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Somalia.
He later served as President of the ECOWAS Commission from 2010 to 2012.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey