Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo on Saturday declared a
week of mourning to pay homage to former UN chief and Nobel laureate Kofi
Annan.
Describing Annan as a "consummate" diplomat,
Akufo-Addo said in a statement that Ghana was "deeply saddened" by
news of his death in Switzerland on Saturday after a short illness.
Born in Kumasi, the capital city of Ghana's Ashanti region,
Annan became the first black head of the United Nations.
"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" for one week from Monday, Akufo-Addo said.
"He brought considerable renown to our country by this
position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena,"
Akufo-Addo said.
"He was an ardent believer in the capacity of the
Ghanaian to chart his or her own course on to the path of progress and prosperity."
The Koffi Annan Foundation described him as a “global
statesman and deeply committed internationalist who fought throughout his life
for a fairer and more peaceful world".
"Wherever there was suffering or need‚ he reached out
and touched many people with his deep compassion and empathy. He selflessly
placed others first‚ radiating genuine kindness‚ warmth and brilliance in all
he did."
He retired in Geneva and later lived in a Swiss village in
the nearby countryside.
According to his foundation, he was surrounded in his last
days by his second wife Nane and children Ama, Kojo and Nina.
Annan died in hospital in Bern, Switzerland.
UN chief says predecessor Annan was 'guiding force for
good'
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres voiced deep sorrow
Saturday at the news his predecessor Kofi Annan had passed away, calling him
"a guiding force for good".
"Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good,"
Guterres said in a statement shortly after news broke of Annan's passing in
Switzerland at the age of 80.
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