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The United Nations is mourning the death of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who passed away peacefully after a short illness, according to a statement published on his official Twitter account on Saturday.
The current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid glowing tributes to the former Secretary-General, who headed the intergovernmental organisation from 1997 to 2006.
The renowned Ghanaian diplomat was 80 years old.
His foundation announced his death on Saturday and the late UN scribe reportedly died in hospital in Bern, Switzerland, in the early hours of Saturday.
Guterres hailed Annan as “a guiding force for good” and a “proud son of Africa who became a global champion for peace and all humanity.”
“Like so many, I was proud to call Kofi Annan a good friend and mentor.
“I was deeply honoured by his trust in selecting me to serve as UN High Commissioner for Refugees under his leadership.
“He remained someone I could always turn to for counsel and wisdom – and I know I was not alone,” Guterres said in a statement.
Annan was the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, after Egyptian diplomat, Boutrous Boutrous-Ghali exit in December 1996.
The UN chief said: “He provided people everywhere with a space for dialogue, a place for problem-solving and a path to a better world.
“In these turbulent and trying times, he never stopped working to give life to the values of the United Nations Charter. His legacy will remain a true inspiration for all us.”
Kofi Annan was born in Kamasi, Ghana, on April 8, 1938.
He joined the UN system in 1962 as an administrative and budget officer with the World Health Organisation in Geneva, rising through the ranks to hold senior-level posts in areas such as budget and finance, and peacekeeping.
He served as UN Secretary-General for two consecutive five-year terms, beginning in January 1997. (NAN)
Also, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Saturday extended his heartfelt condolences to the Kofi Annan family, the United Nations, the government and people of the Republic of Ghana on the demise of former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Atta Annan.
In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa described the death of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work winner as “a great loss to the international community where he led efforts to find a peaceful solution to conflicts globally”.

According to the statement, “We have lost a global statesman who was deeply committed to global peace and conflict resolution. The highly revered diplomat will be long remembered for his towering role and dedication to improving lives through peaceful coexistence among people of diverse race.

“Mr Annan was bold and fearless as Secretary-General and told truth to power which led to his declaration of the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 as “illegal” under international law. As UN Special Envoy to Syria, he proposed a six-point plan, that would have led to the early resolution of the crisis in Syria which was however not implemented by the Syrian government which led to his resignation as Special Envoy.

The Governor noted that Mr Annan touched lives with his Kofi Annan Foundation that was committed to overcoming threats to peace, development and human rights around the world.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, Governor Okowa extols Mr Annan’s extraordinary and committed leadership at the United Nations where he emerged as the first black African to take up the role of the world’s top diplomat, serving from 1997 to 2006 and his exceptional stewardship that led to the successful war against the HIV/AIDS pandemic including the establishment of the social investment fund “The Global Fund” to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as the launching of the Millennium Development Goals.”

Governor Okowa expressed the hope that the international community and all those who mourn the late Kofi Annan will continue to honour his legacy of selfless service and commitment to human dignity and global peace.

He prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family, well-wishers and the people of the Republic of Ghana in this period of loss and global mourning.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the national flag to be flown at half-staff in honour of Mr. Kofi Annah, the former secretary-general of the United Nations who died on Saturday in Switzerland.
Akufo-Addo who described Annah as one of Ghana’s ‘greatest compatriots’, a ‘consummate international diplomat’, said he has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in all parts of the country and in all the country’s diplomatic missions across the world.
“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”, the Ghanaian President wrote on Twitter.
“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”.