President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed grief over the demise of Queen Elizabeth II and extended his condolences to the United Kingdom (UK) Royal Family.
He joins several global leaders who have poured tributes following the death of the British monarch today, 8 September 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96.
She passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer.
President Akufo-Addo extolled the leadership of the Queen, who steered the affairs of modern Britain to prosperity during her 70-year reign.
He particularly highlighted the strengthened bilateral relationship between Ghana and UK over the years.
President Akufo-Addo further lauded the Queen’s role as Head of the Commonwealth of Nations.
For him, “She was the rock that kept the organisation sturdy and true to its positive beliefs”.
“She was a cherished and revered monarch of the British people, the longest-serving in their history, who will be sorely missed. We are saddened by her departure,” he added.
To honour the Queen, President Akufo-Addo further directed that all flags in the country fly at half-mast for seven days, beginning Friday, 9 September 2022.
Below is the full statement from President Akufo-Addo:
On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I extend deepest condolences to the new British monarch, King Charles III, the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, and the Government and people of Great Britain on the death today of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, late Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Head of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Ghanaian people have very fond memories of the two visits she made to Ghana during her reign, and, on both occasions, we remember the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties.
As Head of the Commonwealth of Nations, she superintended over the dramatic transformation of the Union and steered it to pay greater attention to our shared values and better governance. She was the rock that kept the organisation sturdy and true to its positive beliefs. We shall miss her inspiring presence, her calm, her steadiness, and, above all, her great love and belief in the higher purpose of the Commonwealth of Nations, and in its capacity to be a force for good in our world.
She was a cherished and revered monarch of the British people, the longest-serving in their history, who will be sorely missed. We are saddened by her departure. In honour of her memory, I have directed that all official flags in the nation fly at half-mast for seven (7) days, as from tomorrow, Friday, 9 September.
May God bless her soul and give her peaceful rest in His Bosom until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen!!
