Staff of UNFPA Ghana this morning gathered in their conference room to pay tribute to the memory of the former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, whose demise was announced over the weekend. A minute of silence was observed along with the sharing of personal anecdotes by the UNFPA staff in his honour. In his introductory words, the Country Representative, Niyi Ojuolape said, the sad news of the passing away of the former UN Secretary General over the weekend cannot be overlooked since Kofi Annan was a man of integrity, dignity, humanity and more importantly, a son of Ghana.

In sharing their thoughts during the brief ceremony, a member of staff, Dr Robert Mensah recalled how Kofi Annan personally signed  letters of appreciation to all the drivers who assisted with his working visit to UN Ghana in 2004. To him, it was an exemplary portrayal of leadership and humility by the former UN Secretary-General, even though he could have asked the then Representative to sign such a letter. Dr Mensah added, “We will forever miss him.”

Mr Jude Domosie, from the Tamale Decentralised Office said Kofi Annan was his role model and a reason for which he now works with UNFPA. He said growing up as a child, he wanted to be like him; and so he worked hard and read about him constantly to get inspired. “I will never forget him and his death will inspire me the more to rise up to the task”, Jude concluded.

A UN Volunteer currently with the UNFPA Ghana Country Office, Armel Gislain Konan, simply said, “To us the youth, Kofi Annan is not dead, he is still alive and will remain forever an inspiration. The torch has been passed on to us as young people to perpetuate the ideas of peace and respect for human rights”

The Representative and the Deputy, Niyi Ojuolape and Erika Goldson respectively took turns to read the messages from the UN Secretary General António Guterres, UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kanem and the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Christine Evans Klock to staff.

Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana has also asked that all flags fly at half-mast in the country, as the world mourns Kofi Anan, the global icon.