Ghana Continues To Mourn Her Illustrious Son

The State Funeral of Kofi Atta Annan, Ghana's illustrious son, who distinguished himself as a global peace icon and humanitarialist, continues as Ministers of State, have begun paying their last respects to him at the Accra International Centre.

Members of Parliament, Chiefs, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of recognised organisations, among other dignitaries, are scheduled to pay their honours, to the Nobel Peace Laureate, who rose through the ranks to head the United Nations from 1997 to 2006.

Later in the day, the royals of Asanteman; and Akwamufie, where he hailed, will take turns to perform their customary rites.

Ghanaians from all walks of life, filed past his body in a casket, draped in the national colours, when the day was opened to the general public, on Tuesday.

After a State Funeral Service, on Thursday, Mr Annan's body would be interred at the New Military Cemetery, at the Burma Camp in Accra, on Thursday, September 13.

Ambassador Annan A. Cato, a former Secretary to Cabinet, who chairs the Funeral Planning Committee, said Mr Annan's wish was to have a modest final farewell ceremony, which was being respected.

Meanwhile, many Ghanaian institutions that Kofi Annan headed including; the University of Ghana, have held memorial services in his honour, while both local and world leaders have paid glowing tributes to the man, who used who mainly used shuttle mediation to bring peace to nations in conflict.

He is also credited for initiating the Millennium Development Goals to minimise poverty across the world and launching the UN Global Compact.

'He was the shining light of Africa; he has left behind millions and millions of blazing bright spots in every corner of the world,' Mr Michel Sidebe, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, has said in an article.

'An African at heart, a global citizen in truth, Kofi Annan symbolised the best of humanity. As United Nations Secretary General, his contributions to society spanned across continent and covered multiple issues. He was a rabble rouser, trouble-shooter, change-maker-all combined in one.'

Following his retirement, he founded the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2007 to continue

with his good works.
Kofi Annan died in the Bern city of Switzerland, after a short illness, aged 80.

He was survived by his wife, Nane, and three children.

GNA