Former President Akufo-Addo has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Raila Amolo Odinga and to the people of Kenya following the former Prime Minister’s death in India on Tuesday.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Mr. Akufo-Addo described Mr. Odinga as “a great son of Africa” and a close personal friend whose death has caused deep sorrow across the continent.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the people of the great sisterly nation of Kenya, President William Samoei Ruto, and to the family of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga,” he wrote.
“News of the passing of this great son of Africa, who, for a long time, was a very good friend of mine, has been received with widespread sadness.”
Reflecting on their friendship, the former president said he and Mr. Odinga shared common ideals about the role of democracy and human rights in shaping Africa’s future.
“Aside the many encounters and thought-experiences upon which we held deep convictions, Prime Minister Odinga and I shared mutual values on strengthening democracy and advancing the human rights of Africa’s citizens,” Mr. Akufo-Addo noted.
He recalled Mr. Odinga’s attendance at his presidential inauguration on January 7, 2017, describing him as one of the distinguished African leaders who honoured Ghana with their presence.
Mr. Akufo-Addo also mentioned Ghana’s support for Mr. Odinga’s 2024 campaign to become Chairperson of the African Union Commission, noting that both President William Ruto and Mr. Odinga visited Accra as part of their diplomatic engagements.
“As a founding member of the African Union, I pledged Ghana’s support, without hesitation, when President Ruto visited Ghana to secure our backing for Prime Minister Odinga’s candidacy. Indeed, he visited me himself in November 2024 as part of his campaign,” he stated.
Paying tribute to the late Kenyan statesman, Mr. Akufo-Addo described him as a pillar in Kenya’s democratic transformation.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
