Speaking on behalf of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama at a Requiem Mass of Pope Francis, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral on Friday, April 25, 2025, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ghana, described Pope Francis as a “Champion for Africa” and a “Chief advocate for the continent” due to his papal visits and gestures he extended to the African continent.
“His famous visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2013, where many young African people had lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean. At the time, many European leaders were intolerant of migrants. Pope Francis was bold to point out that this was a humanitarian crisis and it was important that these migrants were treated with compassion”, he said.
He also recounted the Pope’s extraordinary visits to dangerous conflict areas in Africa, including the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan, to advocate for peace on the continent.
The Minister also highlighted key roles Pope Francis played during his papacy, which have impacted world leaders, including President Mahama.
In his speech, Samuel Okudzeto mentioned that the life Pope Francis led during his papacy has taught many world leaders to emulate humility and service to their citizens.
He said, “He’s taught him modesty, simplicity, frugality. President Mahama indicated in his tribute that many world leaders would have to learn from the Pope because he was a unifier”.
According to the Foreign Minister, Pope Francis was compassionate and always put the needs of others above his own personal comfort, which emphasised the Pope’s humble and kind leadership.
He remarked that, “Indeed, analysts in the media thought that that was such a risky visit… And what was remarkable about all these visits was that he refused to wear a bulletproof vest.”
This act of advocacy, he said, was a testament to Pope Francis’ willingness to sacrifice his life for the vulnerable in Africa
Furthermore, he described Pope Francis as an advocate for social justice, saying, “he spoke against the exploitation of Africa. He famously declared that Africa is not a mine to be treated by powers.”
Additionally, Pope Francis was remembered for his deep respect and affection for the Muslim community in Africa.
He added, “And indeed his visit to Egypt, we will never forget that he insisted he insisted on staying with the Chief Muslim Cleric in Egypt throughout his visit and worshipped with him in the mosque”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa while speaking at the Requiem Mass attended by hundreds of Ghanaians said that Pope Francis will continue to be an inspiration to African leaders and that “even in his death, the simplicity, the modesty and how he insists that everything, the modesty and how he insists that everything should be done in such decency and modesty, we will be continued to be inspired”.
The requiem Mass brought together prominent government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the National Chief Imam, representatives from the Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, representatives from the Christian Council of Ghana, Priests from the Coptic Orthodox church, members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, President of the Conference of Major Superiors in Ghana, Papal Knights and Dames, Priests, Religious Men and Women and lay faithful.
By: Veronica Sena Amenya//Newswatchgh.com
