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Ghana’s public says farewell to Kofi Annan
ACCRA, Sept 11, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A steady stream of mourners on Tuesday
paid their respects to the former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, as his
body lay in state in the capital of his native Ghana.
The diplomat’s body was flown back from his home in Switzerland on Monday
ahead of a state funeral and private burial in Accra on Thursday.
Nobel peace laureate Annan, who was the world body’s first leader from
sub-Saharan Africa, died aged 80 on August 18 after a short illness.
His coffin, draped in Ghana’s red, green and gold flag, was guarded by
senior military officers in ceremonial uniform at the Accra International
Conference Centre.
A choir sang hymns and traditional dances were performed as the public got
their chance to say farewell to one of the country’s most famous sons.
Fritz Kitcher, who spent his career working for the United Nations in
Geneva in human rights, said he saw Annan rise through the ranks.
Now retired and back living in Ghana, he said Annan taught him “the
benefit of humility, the benefit of honesty, the benefit of decisiveness, and
diplomacy from the grassroots”.
His role at the UN’s first black African leader was “an honour for Ghana”,
he said.
“It was marvellous in our eyes, it was one of these things that we can
only dream… he lifted Africa and showed that we are also able to do great
things,” Kitcher told AFP.
Most of those who queued to pay their respects wore black and red mourning
clothes and passed under large posters of Annan to the sound of pulsating
drums.
Cleaner Akwo Kwame Johnson, from neighbouring Ivory Coast said he wanted
to pay his last respects to “our great father”.
Whenever he saw Annan in the news, Johnson said he felt like he was
watching a family member.
“He was a president to all the world,” he added.
Pensioner Joyce Atiase said she was mourning the loss of a “great man”.
“We all loved him. He played a major role for our country, he did his best,”
she said.
Scores of world leaders past and present, as well as royalty, are expected
in Accra for Annan’s funeral on Thursday.
A private burial service will then be held in the city’s military
cemetery.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1933 hrs