In a tweet on Monday, Rawlings called KB Asante a true statesman who Ghana has lost, describing him also as “a gentleman, historian, public-spirited person, a patriot and a genuine Nkrumaist.”

“My sincere condolences to his family. Rest in peace Mr K. B. Asante”, the tweet said.

KB died peacefully in his sleep Monday at the ripe age of 93, contributing actively to national discourse till his very last breadth. He kept a regular column, “Voice from Afar”, in the Daily Graphic while his voice resounded regularly in radio and television discussions sharing rich views on a variety of subjects.

He was only last week a member of a high-level panel of patriots that included Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe, Professor Ama Ata Aidoo and Professor Stephen Adei which discussed corrupting influences undermining national values and aspirations at a forum organised by the National Commission for Civic Education.

K.B. Asante served as Secretary to Ghana’s First President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Ghana’s ambassador to a number of countries and international organisations.