I thank Ghana for giving me 'my love', 'extraordinary' Kofi Annan – Widow

Nane Maria Annan, widow of the late former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has rendered a touching tribute to her husband.

Mrs Annan, who read her tribute at a high-profile funeral held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Thursday, 13 September 2018, said Mr Annan “always believed that his inner strength and sense of hope came from his deep roots here and I want to thank Ghana for giving us such an extraordinary human being”.

The widow said her husband “challenged all of us to work for a better world right where we are; in our homes, in our villages, in our towns and in our cities. All you needed to do is to take one small step and another”.

“My love, you are now back home where you started your long journey. May you rest in peace and may your wisdom and compassion continue to inspire us and guide us wherever we are,” she added in the emotional tribute.

Mr Annan died on August 8 at the age of 80 after a short illness.

His funeral was attended by world leaders across the globe.

Tributes have poured in from all over the world eulogising him.

Some of the heads of state who attended the funeral include: President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, George Weah of Liberia, Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, Hage Geingob of Namibia and Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger.

Others include Angolan Vice-President, Bornito de Sousa; former Queen of the Netherlands, Princess Beatrix; Deputy Chief of the African Union Commission, Mr Kwesi Quartey; former Prime Minister of Kenya, Mr Raila Odinga and Graça Machel, a former First Lady of South Africa.