Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, a former Minister for Foreign Affairs and former President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, has passed away.
The veteran diplomat, who was 91 years old, died at a hospital on Saturday, June 13, 2026. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed.
Born on January 12, 1935, in Keta in the Volta Region, Ambassador Gbeho celebrated his 91st birthday earlier this year. His passing signifies the loss of one of Ghana’s most seasoned diplomats, whose influence reached beyond the nation’s borders.
Throughout his public service career, Ambassador Gbeho held several prominent positions, including serving as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2001 during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
After his term as Foreign Affairs Minister, he represented the Anlo Constituency in Parliament from 2001 to 2005. He subsequently served as a foreign policy adviser to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, playing a significant role in shaping Ghana’s diplomatic initiatives.
His diplomatic career included numerous strategic international assignments. He was posted in countries such as China, India, Nigeria, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, where he advocated for Ghana’s interests and bolstered bilateral relations.
Ambassador Gbeho also held the position of Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 1980 to 1990 and took on ambassadorial duties in Geneva and other key diplomatic hubs.
In 2010, he was unanimously elected as President of the ECOWAS Commission, establishing himself as one of the region’s foremost diplomatic figures. During his tenure, which lasted until 2012, he was instrumental in promoting regional cooperation and integration within West Africa.
In addition to his accomplishments in public service, Ambassador Gbeho was part of a family that is well-known for its significant contributions to the national development of Ghana.
He was the son of Philip Gbeho, the esteemed composer who is credited with arranging Ghana’s national anthem, and the uncle of the late Komla Dumor, a distinguished broadcaster.
The family has not yet disclosed the details regarding his funeral and burial arrangements.
