President Akufo-Addo has expressed his condolences to Zambia for the passing of its first President, Kenneth David Kaunda.

Describing the late former president as an iconic statesman, Akufo-Addo stated that Dr Kenneth Kaunda was one of Africa’s independence movement backbones.

Taking to his social media handle, he said, "on behalf of the Government and the people of Ghana and my own behalf, I extend sincere condolences to the President, government and people of Zambia on the loss of their first President and one of the icons of Africa’s independence movement, Kenneth David Kaunda. May his soul rest in perfect peace," Akufo-Addo posted on Twitter.

Dr Kenneth Kaunda was the inaugural president of Zambia between 1964 and 1991 after the country gained independence from Britain.

On behalf of the Govt & people of Ghana & on my own behalf, I extend sincere condolences to the President, Govt & people of Zambia on the loss of their first President & one of the icons of Africa’s independence movement, Kenneth David Kaunda. May his soul rest in perfect peace. pic.twitter.com/q4Ec8m8ow4

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) June 19, 2021

He died at the age of 97 after he was admitted to a hospital in the capital Lusaka on Monday suffering from pneumonia.

His aides said he did not have Covid-19.