Kofi Annan Believed in Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda ― Prez.

Given a hard-to-come by opportunity to bid farewell to a world icon and African hero, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the late former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Busumuru Annan, believed Ghana was capable of charting her course to progress.

According to the President, the Former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, believed in government’s Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda.

“He found the vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid, indeed of an Africa Beyond Aid, very appealing. Undoubtedly, he excelled in the various undertakings of his life, leaving in his trail most pleasant memories. His was a life well-lived,” Akufo-Addo said when he read his tribute at Mr. Annan’s burial service held at the Accra International Conference Centre, yesterday.

Still paying a glowing honour to the renowned diplomat, the President revealed the deceased had given him delicate advices when he (Akufo-Addo) took over as President of Ghana.

Nana Akufo-Addo said he appreciated the advice from the late statesman.

“He gave me sensitive, deeply appreciated advice when I became President of the Republic,” Akufo-Addo said.

“Charming, cosmopolitan, consensus-builder, elegant, eloquent, gentle-mannered, modest, polyglot, proud African, peacemaker, quintessential diplomat, these words are still inadequate to capture the fullness of the personality of Kofi Annan, one of the truly iconic figures of modern times,” the president had eulogised even with a seeming heavy heart.

Recollecting the last time, he had seen Mr. Annan, Akufo-Addo said the diplomat had come with a saddening news that he could no longer continue to serve as Chancellor of Ghana’s premier university, the University of Ghana, Legon, since he (Mr. Annan) had served the two-terms permitted by the statutes of the University.

“I bemoaned my ill-luck, even though, as life would have it, the University has found in Mary Chinery-Hesse, his old and trusted friend, a worthy successor,” the President recalled.

Over 1500 dignitaries including heads of state and the current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, had attended the funeral service.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]