A high powered delegation from the Akwamu Traditional Council on Wednesday paid a glowing tribute to the former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Atta Annan, who was a royal from Akwamufie of the Eastern Region.
Members of the delegation were adorned with traditional mourning attire -red and black - while some wore war regalia, led by Osuogyasono Yaw Boadu IV, Acting President of the Council.
They performed traditional rites to bid their illustrious son farewell amid chanting of war songs.
Kofi Annan hails from Akwamufie, which is his paternal ancestral home.
The mortal remains of Kofi Annan has been lying-in-state at the Accra International Conference Centre for public viewing to enable the people to pay their last respects.
Today, Wednesday, September 12, has been set aside for
high profile personalities including ambassadors, high commissioners, ministers of state, diplomats, Members of Parliament, traditional rulers and organised groups to bid "the global peace icon and humanitarianist" a befitting farewell.
Kofi Annan was described as a "global peace icon and statesman" who brokered peace in turbulent countries during his stewardship of the United Nations.
Mr Annan passed away peaceful on August 18, 2018 at a hospital in the Swiss city of Bern, after a short illnesses.
He was 80 years.
He was the Seventh UN Secretary-General from January 1997 to December 2006, leading a number of reforms at the global body.
He successfully negotiated many peace deals in many countries plagued with conflicts and wars including Kosovo, Lebanon, Durfur, and Afghanistan.
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.
GNA
By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA