Patience Gbeze, GNA
Accra, Sept. 13, GNA – The rise of Kofi Annan,
the former United Nations Secretary General to the high office in 1997 was the
moment the glass ceiling was smashed for all Africans in the United Nations.
A Ghanaian serving officer in the United Nations
told the Ghana News Agency in a telephone interview on Tuesday that, prior to
his emergence in that high office, Africans could not rise to high positions no
matter how hard working and dedicated they were.
The officer, who pleaded anonymity, said “It
was clear Mr Annan’s nomination was approved in order to see him fail and make
the point ‘we told you so… African can’t do it’ but Mr Annan excelled as
Secretary General”.
To the youth, he said, Mr Annan’s story is
enough assurance that hard work ultimately pays, adding that “the final reward
may delay but when the time comes the end is sweet”
Professor Philip Kwashi Atiso Ahiaku, Lecturer
University of Zululand, South Africa also eulogised Mr Annan for his integrity,
selflessness and love for mankind.
He said in the hues of arm inspection in Iraq
after the war, he stood his ground though newly appointed and waiting for his
permanent appointment, he defies the US orders at the detriment of his own
appointment as substantive UN Secretary General.
He said: “Had it not been his intervention
there would be blood bath”.
“Whatever we do as young leaders let’s ask
ourselves who benefits. If no one except us, it’s not a wise thing to do. As
future leaders, let’s be guided by selflessness approach to leadership as
exhibited by Mr Kofi Annan in his dealing with Iraq and United States.
“He could have sided with the US knowing very
well his bid to becoming next substantive UN
Secretary General depended largely on the support of the United States
of America…his question was who benefits from my action,” he said and urged the
youth to learn from this great son of the land.
Mr Reynolds Ofosu Tenkorang, General Secretary
of Health Service Workers Union (HSWU), said
besides Osagyefo Dr Kwame
Nkrumah, Mr Annan was one Ghanaian who raised the image of Ghana high and
called on the youth and all humanity to listen to his attributes in the
tributes and emulate them.
Mr Annan passed away on August 18, 2018 in the
Swiss city of Berne after a brief illness. He and the UN were the co-recipients
of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.
He is survived by his wife Nane Marie
Lagergren and their Children, Ama, Kojo and Nina.
GNA