The one thing known to every living thing is the fact that they will one day cease to exist – die. The Holy Bible, arguably, the greatest book of wisdom ever known to humankind has an interesting summary for death, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”.
UN Secretary-general and Nobel laureate Kofi Annan, died at the age of 80. Born in Kumasi, Ghana, in 1938, he went on to serve as UN chief from 1997 to 2006, the only person of African descent ever to hold the post. He died in hospital in the Swiss city of Bern where he has been living near Geneva for several years.
The young Annan in 1958, began studying economics at the Kumasi College of Science and Technology, now the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology of Ghana. He received a Ford Foundation grant, enabling him to complete his undergraduate studies in economics at Macalester College, international relations from the Graduate Institute Geneva and management at MIT.
Annan the man joined the UN in 1962, working for the World Health Organization’s Geneva office. He later on worked in several capacities at the UN Headquarters including serving as the Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping between March, 1992 and December 1996. Annan the great diplomat was appointed as the Secretary-General on 13 December 1996 by the Security Council, and later confirmed by the General Assembly, making him the first office holder to be elected from the UN staff itself. He was re-elected for a second term in 2001.
We all were born some day in our past, where ever we came from, if at all, we live, what ever we do with our lives on Earth, and we will die one day. We all agree that one day we shall exit this existence, call it death, even though we may disagree on what is next the moment our spirit part ways with our body, or what ever our beliefs are. The rich, the poor, the famous, the beauty, the beast, the big, the small, the less privileged, white, brown, black body complexion, what ever the content of our character may be, depth of our talent or skill, or who we may love, language we speak, place of residence, or our place of birth, or our level of education, or social class, we will one day bow to this higher calling, and exit this existence. The great diplomat Kofi Annan just did.
Work is a big part of life and determines how most people are remembered, despite how long or short their lives were. Most of those who climb to the summit of their chosen career found something they like and do it well such that they matter. The great Steve Jobs said if you have not found it, keep searching. He concluded, “stay foolish and stay hungry”. Many people advise to live life to the fullest as life is very short. The great Steve Jobs again says live life as if today is your last day. The big question is what do we want to be remembered for when we are gone? Annan the great diplomat certainly liked diplomacy and made it a career and became some of the planet’s finest.
Kofi Annan is gone, where ever his journey takes him, he is remembered by lots of people across the world. Current UN chief Antonio Guterres hailed him as “a guiding force for good” and Russian President Vladimir Putin described him as a “remarkable person”. Ex-US President Barack Obama said Annan had always pursued “a better world”. Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau described him as a “great statesman and humanitarian”. UK Prime Minister, Theresa May shared her thoughts on Twitter with the photo above, “Sad to hear of the death of Kofi Annan. A great leader and reformer of the UN, he made a huge contribution to making the world he has left a better place than the one he was born into. My thoughts and condolences are with his family”. What will you be remembered for when you are gone?
Tracy Morel – RIP – a Lovely Wise Gentleman passes – so v sad! He will be much missed!
Malinda S Smith – #RIPKofiAnan Born in Kumasi, the Ashanti region of the then Gold Coast, in 1938, Anan was 18 year’s old when Ghana became the first African country to achieve independence from colonial Britain. He was a great Ghanaian diplomat, and the first Black person—Sub-Saharan Africa’s first—U.N. Secretary General (1997-2006). With the U.N. he won the Nobel Peace Prize (2001) for extraordinary global work. Thinking of his family, his wife Nana, and three children Ama, Kojo, Nina, who were at his side when he died in Switzerland on Saturday, 18 August. Also mourning alongside his country folk and many across the global African diaspora. Rest in Power, Sir Kofi Anan.
SK Ewusi II – RIP KOFI ANNAN. Kofi Annan’s last advice to Africans. Stop voting for old people above 70 years. Very poignant.
Akosa Acheampong – RIP Kofi Annan! You will forever be remembered!
