Following the death of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in the earlier hours of Saturday morning, the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo has declared a one-week mourning, starting from from Monday, 20th August, 2018.
The President Nana also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast during this period in honour of the late United Nations Secretary General, who according to the President ,was a great individual and asset to the country and Africa at large.
In a statement he released a few hours ago, he said:
“The Government and people of Ghana, First Lady Rebecca and I are deeply saddened by the news of the death, in Berne, Switzerland, of one of our greatest compatriots, Mr. Kofi Annan.”
“I extend, on behalf of the entire Ghanaian nation, our sincere, heartfelt condolences to his beloved widow, Nane Maria, and to his devoted children, Ama, Kojo and Nina, on this great loss.”
“I am, however, comforted by the information, after speaking to Nane Maria, that he died peacefully in his sleep.”
“Consummate international diplomat and highly respected former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan was the first from sub-Saharan Africa to occupy this exalted position.”
He brought considerable renown to our country by this position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena. He was an ardent believer in the capacity of the Ghanaian to chart his or her own course onto the path of progress and prosperity.
“Undoubtedly, he excelled in the various undertakings of his life, leaving in his trail most pleasant memories. His was a life well-lived.
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, from Monday, 20th August, 2018, for one week.
Rest in perfect peace, Kofi. You have earned it. God bless.”