Ambassador mourns Congressman John Lewis

Last year, I accompanied the Congressional Black Caucus on a historical journey to Ghana as part of events aimed at commemorating 400 years since the first slave ship docked in Jamestown, Virginia. There, I had the opportunity to engage our departed hero, Congressman John Lewis. He was a man of great wisdom who harbored a genuine passion for the advancement of the people he served and more particularly for the entire black race. He also saw the need for Africans to bridge the gap between us and our brothers and sisters in the United States.

My fondest memory of Mr. Lewis during this trip was his emotional demeanor and teary eyes as he came out of Elmina Castle’s “Door of no Return”; the last door that our ancestors/slaves went through as they left the shores of Africa. His strong emotions were spurred by the vivid narration of the painful ordeal our ancestors had gone through. On that hot afternoon, I reminded him of his contributions and assured him to find comfort and strength in the fact that his efforts have made the Door of no Return permanently unusable.

On behalf of the Embassy and the entire Ghanaian community in the United States, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Congressman John Lewis, the Congressional Black Caucus and all who knew and loved him. The United States has indeed lost an amazing Statesman. May his soul Rest in Peace!” – H.E. Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah