Ghana mourns as ‘great compatriot’, Kofi Annan dies

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the national flag to be flown at half-staff in honour of Mr. Kofi Annah, the former secretary-general of the United Nations who died on Saturday in Switzerland.

Akufo-Addo who described Annah as one of Ghana’s ‘greatest compatriots’, a ‘consummate international diplomat’, said he has ordered flags to be flown at half staff in all parts of the country and in all the country’s diplomatic missions across the world.

“The Government and people of Ghana, First Lady Rebecca and I are deeply saddened by the news of the death, in Berne, Switzerland, of one of our greatest compatriots, Mr. Kofi Annan”, the Ghanaian President wrote on Twitter.

“I extend, on behalf of the entire Ghanaian nation, our sincere, heartfelt condolences to his beloved widow, Nane Maria, and to his devoted children, Ama, Kojo and Nina, on this great loss

“I am, however, comforted by the information, after speaking to Nane Maria, that he died peacefully in his sleep.

“Consummate international diplomat and highly respected former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan was the first from sub-Saharan Africa to occupy this exalted position

”He brought considerable renown to our country by this position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena. He was an ardent believer in the capacity of the Ghanaian to chart his or her own course onto the path of progress and prosperity.

”Undoubtedly, he excelled in the various undertakings of his life, leaving in his trail most pleasant memories. His was a life well-lived.

“I have directed that, in his honour, Ghana’s national flag will fly at half-mast across the country and in all of Ghana’s diplomatic missions across the world, from Monday, 20th August, 2018, for one week.

“Rest in perfect peace, Kofi. You have earned it. God bless”.

Former president John Dramani Mahama also tweeted:

He lived and worked for global peace, security and sustainable development in very challenging times. A proud son of Ghana and Africa.
RIP Kofi Annan. pic.twitter.com/xevF6TZdOu
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) August 18, 2018