Ghana's public says farewell to Kofi Annan
Tuesday September 11 2018
Ghanaian militaries guard the coffin of Mr Kofi Annan, the diplomat and former Secretary-General of United Nations who died on August 18 at the age of 80 after a short illness, at Accra International Conference Centre in Accra on September 11, 2018. Mr Annan's body will remain at the Accra Conference Centre until the burial ceremony at Burma Camp military cemetery in the capital on September 13. PHOTO | 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 Mr 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.
His career
Mr Fritz Kitcher, who spent his career working for the United Nations in Geneva in human rights, said he saw Mr Annan rise through the ranks.
Now retired and back living in Ghana, he said Mr 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," Mr Kitcher told AFP.
Mourning clothes
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 Cote d'Ivoire said he wanted to pay his last respects to "our great father".
Whenever he saw Mr Annan in the news, Mr Johnson said he felt like he was watching a family member.
"He was a president to all the world," he added
Military cemetery
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 Mr Annan's funeral
A private burial service will then be held in the city's military cemetery.