Kofi Annan Was A Great Leader – Kwadwo Mpiani

Former Chief of Staff under the Kufuor administration has expressed his grief upon the demise of the former UN Secretary General, Kofi Atta Annan.

While a lot of talk since the sudden demise of former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has revolved around his personal and professional successes, the people who knew him best remember a more lighthearted side of the diplomat.

Kofi Annan, who passed away on August 18 at the age of 80, is lying in state at the Accra International Conference Centre ahead of his burial on  Thursday September 13.

In an interview on neat fm evening political show “Torchlight” with Marc Jerry Osei Agyemang, he explained that the former secretary raised the image of Ghana to the highest level.

He further added that in unity, we should all come together to mourn and celebrate him.

He as well urged both the old and the younger generations to emulate the lifestyle and diplomatic traits of Mr Annan, who served humanity with integrity and humility, saying “his calm nature has impacted on my life greatly, especially those of us in diplomatic circles”

He noted that the late Annan was a colossus global peace icon, who led the global body with distinction and encouraged the youth to let the feat chalked by Kofi Annan to inspire them to greater heights.

Kofi Annan was described as a “global peace icon and statesman” who brokered peace in turbulent countries during his stewardship of the global body.

The legacy of Annan should be kept alive for both the present and future generation, Ghana has lost one of her greatest sons and it will be difficult to replace him,” –  Kwadwo Mpiani said

Mr Annan passed away peaceful on August 18, 2018 at a hospital in the Swiss city of Bern after a short illnesses.

He was aged 80. He was the UN Secretary-General from January 1997 to December 2006, leading a number of reforms at the global body.

He successfully negotiated peace deals in many countries plagued with conflicts and wars, including Kosovo, Lebanon, Durfur, Afghanistan and many others.

In 2001, he was co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize with the UN. Mr Annan, upon retirement from active service, served as UN special envoy to Syria, and also established the Kofi Annan Foundation to pursue his vision of making the world a more peaceful place to live.

He was survived by a wife, Nane Maria Lagergren and three children, Kojo, Ama and Nina.