Across Accra, Ghana, two distinct communities—international diplomats stationed in the country and Ghana’s cricket fraternity—have united with Barbados to pay tribute to the legendary life and enduring legacy of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, following his passing. Tributes have poured in through in-person visits, official diplomatic communications, and handwritten condolence messages from across the globe. To formalize these acts of remembrance, the Barbados High Commission in Accra opened a public Book of Condolence at its chancery on Wednesday, July 22, and the book will remain available for signing until the day of Sir Garfield’s State Funeral, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29.
In the first wave of tributes, a roster of senior diplomatic leaders visited the commission to add their signatures to the condolence book. Attendees included H.E. Surinder Bhagat, India’s High Commissioner to Ghana; H.E. Kufa Edward Chinoza, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador; H.E. Daniel Mahongo of Zambia; H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi of Rwanda; H.E. Andrei Ordash, Ambassador of the Russian Federation; and H.E. Rosa Liliana Gómez Cárdenas de Weston, Ambassador of Peru. They were joined by lower-ranking diplomatic representatives, including Mr. Emanuel Chitende, First Secretary at the Angolan Embassy, and Mr. Dominic Atsou Hemadzo, who signed on behalf of the Embassy of the State of Palestine.
Beyond in-person visits, the high commission has received formal diplomatic Notes Verbales conveying condolences from the Embassy of Spain and the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See. Written condolence messages have also arrived from heads of mission and diplomatic representatives spanning five continents: Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Nations that have shared messages of sympathy include Liberia, France, Algeria, Suriname, Cuba, Kenya, Canada, Angola, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Mozambique, Namibia, Malaysia, South Sudan, Egypt, Hungary, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic of Western Sahara.
Separately, Ghana’s cricket community held its own tribute at Achimota, the historic home of cricket in the country. While Ghana’s national Under-19 cricket team played a practice match against the local Achimota Cricket Club, leadership and members of the Ghana Cricket Association gathered to sign the condolence book. Key figures in attendance included Association President Mr. Emmanuel O. Asare, Treasurer Ms. Angela Allotey, Organising Committee Head Mr. Nii Okai Evans, and the head coach of Ghana’s senior men’s national cricket team.
Ms. Allotey emphasized that Sir Garfield’s contributions to global cricket will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for upcoming players across the African continent. For his part, Mr. Evans shared warm personal recollections of his meetings with Sir Garfield over several years in both England and Atlanta, United States, noting that those conversations left an indelible mark on his own career and love for the sport.
In closing, the Barbados High Commission issued a statement of sincere gratitude to all those who took time to visit the mission, sign the condolence book, or send messages of sympathy. Officials noted that the widespread outpouring of respect from across the world reflects the universal acclaim and esteem in which Sir Garfield was held, confirming that his impact stretched far beyond the borders of Barbados and the boundaries of the cricket pitch.
(Photo credits: All photographs contributed by attendees and the Barbados High Commission)