By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has paid tribute to former Commission President James Victor Gbeho following his passing at age 91, describing his death as a major loss to Ghana, West Africa, and the wider diplomatic community.
In a statement issued on 14 June 2026 from Abuja, the Commission said it received news of his death “with profound sorrow” and remembered him as an accomplished diplomat, regional leader, and advocate for peace, cooperation, and integration across West Africa.
Gbeho served as president of the ECOWAS Commission from February 2010 to March 2012, a period ECOWAS described as important in strengthening the institution after reforms transformed the bloc from an executive secretariat into a commission.
The organization credited his leadership with advancing regional integration and reinforcing ECOWAS’s institutional development.
Before leading ECOWAS, Gbeho had a long diplomatic career that included service as Ghana’s foreign affairs minister between 1997 and 2001 and later as a foreign policy adviser to former President John Evans Atta Mills.
Tributes are continuing across Ghana and the region as leaders and former colleagues reflect on his contributions to diplomacy and regional cooperation. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
