Emulate Kofi Annan’s Legacy – Prof. Atsu Ayee to Gov’t

By Justice Dzido On Sep 11, 2018

The lasting tribute we can give to Kofi Annan, Ghana’s illustrious son, who rose through the ranks to head the United Nations, for a decade, is to emulate his sterling leadership skills and love for humanity, Professor Atsu Ayee of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, has said.

He said the late Kofi Annan did his best to put Ghana on the world stage and also contributed immensely to world peace.

“He has left an indelible landmark, which would be difficult to fill,” Prof Atsu Ayee remarked in an interview after paying his respects to the late statesman at the start of the three-day State Funeral, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

According to him, Mr Annan was an honest, truthful and bold diplomat who was the sole voice that criticised the United States of America’s decision to attack Iraq, while other world leaders kept mute.

He urged Ghana and the rest of the African Continent to champion his legacy of ensuring world peace and stability, instead of violence and war.

Prof Atsu Ayee expressed gratitude to God for the life and ministry of Kofi Annan, was co-received the Noble Peace Prize in 2001, with the UN.

He also commended the family of Kofi Annan for giving him to Ghana and the world at large.

He, therefore, urged all and sundry to celebrate the distinguished peace icon, humanitarialist and diplomat par excellence.

He said Mr Annan was a source of great inspiration not only to Ghanaians but to the citizens of the world and described him as an epitome of peace who led reforms at the United Nations system to ensure unilateralism and principle of the rule of law and human rights.

“The demeanour of the former UN Secretary-General, Mr Annan, is a representation of peace and preached peace throughout his life and we must champion his legacy,” he said.

Mr Kofi Annan passed on peacefully in the Swiss Capital, Berne, on Saturday morning after a short illness,

He also acknowledged the role Mr Annan played in ensuring world peace, rule of law and principles of peace as well as helping to curb diseases that plagued some African countries.

He said his death is a great loss to the world and would be remembered for the peace negotiations he brokered in turbulent war-torn nations.

He cited the roles Mr Annan played in bringing peace and stability to Kosovo, Darfur, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and many other nations plagued with conflicts.

Mr Kofi Annan served as the UN Secretary-General from 1997-2006 and won the Noble Peace Prize in 2001 for his humanitarian service and bringing peace and stability to the world. He also served as UN’s Peace Envoy to Syria, Sudan and other war-torn nations after his retirement.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo directed all national flag to fly at half-mast from Monday, August 20 in all public places and Ghana’s missions abroad in honour of his memory for a week after the sudden demise was announced.

He was 80 years. He left behind his wife Nane and three children, Anna, Kojo and Nina. Many hundreds of Ghanaians from all walks of life are filing past to pay their last respects as he lies in state.