Former president John Dramani Mahama has extended his condolences to the people of Japan following the passing of former prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Shinzo Abe was shot dead while speaking at a political campaign event on Friday morning in the southern city of Nara.
“I am greatly shocked by the assassination of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. His legacy will be remembered fondly by Ghana, Africa and the world at large for a long time to come,” Mahama posted on Facebook.
He added: “As President of Ghana, through my side meetings with him at international conferences and two official visits to Japan, I found him to be a leader passionate about opening up Japan’s role on the world stage, inclusive of expanding Japan-Africa relations.
“I recall our last meeting in May of 2016, which led to the official publication of the restoration of the Yen loan portfolio to Ghana and the announcement of Japan’s commitment to assist Ghana with a number of important new and ongoing projects. These included the Tema motorway interchange project, expansion of the Sekondi fishing harbour, expansion and upgrade of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research into an Advanced Research Centre for Infectious diseases, and the construction of a new bridge over the Southern Volta river at Volivo, among others.”
“At this time, my thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family and the Japanese people in the wake of this senseless crime,” Mahama said.
Shinzo Abe killing: Body of former Japanese PM returned home
A motorcade carrying the body of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived at his home in Tokyo.
Police investigating the assassination have said the suspect held a grudge against a “specific organisation”.
The alleged gunman, named as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, believed Abe was part of it, they said.
Yamagami has admitted shooting him with a homemade gun, according to police.
As a hearse carrying Abe’s body arrived at his residence in Tokyo, members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), dressed in black, lined up to pay their respects.
