The drums of Anlo echoed across the Forecourt of the State House in Accra yesterday.
Red and black clothes filled the grounds.
The Ghana Police Band played solemn tunes. And Ghana laid to rest one of her finest sons — Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, former Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He was 91. He served the nation for more than five decades.
And in death, as in life, he reminded us of what public service is supposed to look like: quiet, competent, dignified, and rooted in country.
James Victor Gbeho was born in 1935 in Keta, Volta Region. He was the son of Philip Gbeho, the composer of Ghana’s National Anthem.
From that home, President John Dramani
Mahama said yesterday, he “inherited not only a proud name but also a profound sense of duty to country.”
He joined the Ghana Foreign Service in 1959.
That fact alone tells you something. He rose from junior career officer to become Minister of Foreign Affairs — the only person in our history to do so.
It was a journey from the desk to the cabinet, earned through intellect, discipline and patience.
His postings read like a map of Ghana’s diplomatic history.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1980 to 1990 — one of the longest and most distinguished tenures in that role.
Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2001 under President Jerry John Rawlings. Later, UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia.
ECOWAS Special Representative for Liberia. President of the ECOWAS Commission.
In every role, as President Mahama noted, he carried the nation “with uncommon professionalism, quiet confidence, and unwavering patriotism.”
He projected Ghana’s voice “with dignity, principle, and clarity.”
That is the standard we must hold future diplomats to.
What stood out in all the tributes yesterday was not just what he did, but how he did it.
Speaker Alban Bagbin called him a statesman “closely woven into the fabric of our nation's struggle for dignity, sovereignty and good governance.” Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel
Okudzeto Ablakwa, who worked with him until age 90, said he remained “as sharp as ever” and was “a trusted source of counsel.”
Mr Ablakwa announced the Ministry will name a facility in the new ministerial block after him. It is a fitting tribute.
Mr Gbeho proved that the calmest voice can carry the furthest.
That is rare in politics anywhere. In Ghana, it is rarer still.
We often reward the loudest voice. His lastborn, Senam Gbeho, said their father preferred to win opponents “with irrefutable logic” and without bruising egos.
His Anlo name, “Afelete” — meaning “the family is now grounded” — described how he lived: grounding family, community and country through service, integrity and modesty.
The Anlo Traditional Council was present in full regalia. Awadada Togbui Agbesi Awusu II said Mr Gbeho, you “served your nation with distinction, you honoured your continent with grace, you enriched the world through your quiet diplomacy.”
“For all his international stature, Ambassador Gbeho never lost his deep pride in his Anlo heritage,” the Awadada said.
That matters.
He showed that you can be global and still be grounded.
State funerals often focus on titles. Yesterday we also saw the man.
His widow, Mrs Edith Adoley Gbeho, spoke of a marriage that spanned nations and cities — Nigeria, India, Germany, Switzerland, New York, and home.
“My greatest joy was watching you with our grandchildren,” she said.
That is the other side of service.
Behind every diplomat who spends years abroad is a family that sacrifices.
Ghana must remember them too.
Yesterday, as his casket draped in the national flag was carried out to drums and bugles, mourners stood in silence.
Ghana has lost an exceptional statesman.
Africa has lost a peacemaker.
Beyond Ghana, Africa has lost a devoted peacemaker.
His work in Somalia and Liberia came at moments when the continent was bleeding.
May Ambassador James Victor Gbeho rest in perfect peace.
And may his life of stellar service inspire the next generation of Ghanaians who choose to serve.
The family is grounded.
The nation is grateful.
