Former Namibian First Lady, Monica Geingos, has paid tribute to the late Ghanaian diplomat and statesman, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, describing him as a leader whose influence extended beyond Ghana to shape African politics and Namibia’s democratic journey.
“He didn’t just shape Ghana; he shaped African politics and that of Namibia,” Ms. Geingos said when she visited the Gbeho family at their Accra residence on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to offer her condolences.
She said Ambassador Gbeho belonged to a generation of African leaders whose commitment to public service placed the interests of the continent above personal gain.
“We are losing a generation of special men, who thought and worked differently, and really sacrificed for the collective. His legacy should be remembered so we see what we could go back to, where our foundation came from,” she said.
Ms. Geingos noted that Ambassador Gbeho was widely respected in Namibia, where successive leaders came to know him through his work in African diplomacy.
She also announced that former Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba would attend the funeral.
“We remembered him in Namibia and have come to mourn him. Our former President Mbumba is coming. He means a lot to us,” she said.
In a separate visit, South Sudan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal, accompanied by South Sudan’s Ambassador to Ghana and other officials, called on the Gbeho family to convey the condolences of the Government and people of South Sudan.
The delegation praised Ambassador Gbeho’s distinguished diplomatic career and his contributions to peacebuilding, regional cooperation and African diplomacy, describing his death as a loss not only to Ghana but to the African continent.
The Gbeho family expressed appreciation to both the Namibian and South Sudanese delegations for their solidarity. During Ms. Geingos’ visit, the family presented her with the official funeral cloth in recognition of her support and condolences.
