Mr Ghebre-Ghiorghis, who served Brighton and Hove for 37 years as a council officer, said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to be considered for Freedom of the City. I was not expecting it.”
He arrived in the UK in 1982 as a refugee and went on to become the council’s corporate director, principal legal adviser and monitoring officer for both the council and East Sussex Fire Authority.
“This is a city that welcomed me as a refugee four decades ago, gave me the opportunity to work alongside some fantastic councillors, officers and members of the local community,” he said.
“The award is as much a symbolic reflection of the city and its values as it is a recognition of my contribution. I will always be grateful for that.”
Since retiring, Mr Ghebre-Ghiorghis has volunteered for the Southern Hospice Group, which includes Martlets, St Barnabas and Chestnut Tree.