Ghana's Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur has directed that all flags in the country fly at half mast in honor of former South African president Nelson Mandela.

The flags will stay lowered until Mandela is laid to rest on Dec. 15, a statement from the Office of the Vice president signed by James Agyenim-Boateng, a presidential staffer, said on Saturday.

Mandela, who served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, died Thursday at the age of 95 after battling health problems in recent months.

"An epitome of forgiveness and healing, Mandela was an amazing and remarkable icon in the struggle for the liberation of his people and our continent. He will be remembered for his humility, sacrifice and service to humanity," the statement said.

Mandela's death is regarded as the end of an era of freedom fighters like Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyetta and Julius Nyerere, according to the statement.

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who is in France attending a summit on peace and security in Africa, paid a tribute to Mandela saying the former South African leader had created a new moral compass for the entire African continent.