Kofi Annan body receives hero’s welcome in Ghana

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s body has received a hero’s welcome upon landing at Kotoka International Airport in Ghana’s capital.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was with Annan’s widow and family members were present as uniformed soldiers brought Annan’s coffin down from the aircraft amid solemn music played by a detachment of Ghana’s armed forces. Prayers followed.

To signify Annan’s return home, the U.N. flag covering the coffin was replaced by a Ghanaian one.

Annan will lie at the Accra International Conference Center, where people can pay their respects in the days before Thursday’s state funeral.

Annan, the grandson of tribal chiefs died in August in Switzerland at the age of 80. He was the first black African to work as U.N. secretary-general and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.

Nane Maria Annan, his wife, had revealed that the late ex-Secretary General of the United Nations, died peacefully in his sleep.

Kofi Annan was sworn as the United Nations Secretary-Genral in 1997 and served till 2006.

He was awarded the Peace Prize for having revitalized the UN and for having given priority to human rights. The Nobel Committee also recognized his commitment to the struggle to contain the spreading of the HIV virus in Africa and his declared opposition to international terrorism.

National Daily gathered that the body which will be laid in state at the Accra International Conference Centre on Tuesday, September 11, while dignitaries will file past and  pay their last respects until Wednesday September 12.

A burial Service will then take place on the September 13 at the Conference Centre before he is finally laid to rest at the new Military Cemetery.