By Peter Olorunnisomo – The news of the death of one of Africa’s foremost statesmen on the world stage broke with a silent hue on Saturday as social media ‘gossips’ without visual evidence spread the tale of the passing away of Kofi Annan.
Presumed expectations are that news of such high profile individuals are likely tailed by ‘quietude’ of illness or age or both. But there was nothing to have aided this in the gossip report. Aged, yes, but for a man who was still active on the international front and was part Observer missions and peace-brokering interventions, he was not old enough to die yet – at least not without an excuse.
But then the western media, who usually know what is happening before the immediate populace themselves, began broadcasts of how the ‘giant’ had gone to eternal sleep. Even then, no ‘real’ reasons were given to account for his death. And the announcements were as abrupt as to say ‘do not say I told you’.
However, his last service constituency, the United Nations, had the incumbent Secretary-General of the UN, Mr Antonio Guterres and staff members, remember the late, former Secretary-General, on Wednesday, describing him as a leader who put people at the centre of the UN work.
During a wreath-laying ceremony in New York, Guterres led staff members in paying respects to Annan, whom they described as the embodiment of the intergovernmental organisation that worked to improve the lives of men and women worldwide.
Kofi Annan died on Saturday at the age of 80 in Switzerland.
Annan, a mild-mannered diplomat from Ghana, rose through the UN system to become its seventh leader in January 1997, serving two consecutive five-year terms till December 2006.
“Kofi Annan’s years in office were an exciting time. He put forward new ideas. He brought new people into the United Nations family. He spoke passionately about our mission and role.
“He created a renewed sense of possibility both inside and outside our organisation about what the UN could do and be for the world’s people.
“His most defining features were his humanity and solidarity with those in need.
“He put people at the centre of the work of the United Nations, and was able to turn compassion into action across the UN system,’’ Guterres said.
He listed some of the actions Annan took to include uniting world leaders to agree global targets on poverty and child mortality – linchpins of the landmark Millennium Development Goals.
“The former UN chief also joined with civil society and the healthcare injury to save lives from HIV and AIDS.
“As his successor noted, Annan also did not shy away from addressing challenging issues.
“Annan faced up to the grave errors made by the United Nations in the 1990s – in its response to the Rwanda genocide and the Srebrenica killings – by shining a light inside the UN.
“The reports he commissioned aimed to make sure such terrible mistakes are never repeated, and set the international community on a new course in its response to mass atrocities,” Guterres said.
Guterres stated that the passing of his predecessor was “a personal loss’’ for many who worked in the UN system.
While the UN flag outside headquarters was flown at half-mast for three days following the announcement of Annan’s death, staff members have been filling a book of condolences with expressions of sympathy to his wife, Nane, and family.
Many UN personnel also have been sharing their memories of a man who they described as “wise yet humble, courteous and charming’’.(NAN)
Meanwhile, Government of Ghana is in talks with the family on funeral arrangements for the global statesman, Deputy Minister for information Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah said in Accra.
The deputy minister pledged the readiness of the state to offer any assistance in giving him a befitting burial.
“Today and tomorrow, we are engaging with the family so that we begin exploring how to ensure that we give him a befitting final burial, especially looking at the global interest,” the deputy minister said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo held discussions with Annan’s immediate family on Sunday and signed the book of condolence opened in his honour by the family.
Government will open a book of condolence in memory of the late Nobel Peace Laureate who passed away on Saturday.
“A great Ghanaian who served his country, Africa and humanity with dignity and humility, has left us to join his maker. Ghana has suffered a great loss from his passing.
“He brought great renown to our nation, and it is my wish that our nation honours him fully on his passing. God bless him and grant him a peaceful place of abode in his bosom.” Akufo-Addo wrote.
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