Activities of Secretary-General in Ghana, 12-13 September

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres departed New York on Wednesday, 12 September, for Accra, Ghana.

On Thursday, he spoke at the funeral for former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, calling him an exceptional global leader who was also someone virtually anyone in the world could see themselves in.  Like few in our time, he said, Kofi Annan could bring people together, put them at ease and unite them towards a common goal for our common humanity.  The Secretary-General said that Kofi Annan was courageous, speaking truth to power while subjecting himself to intense self-scrutiny.  And like his predecessor Dag Hammarskjöld, he had an almost mystical sense of the role of the United Nations as a force for good in a world of ills.  Secretary-General Guterres recalled his friendship with Kofi Annan and added:  “Now that I occupy the office Kofi once held, I am continually inspired by his integrity, dynamism and dedication.”  As we face the headwinds of our troubled and turbulent times, the Secretary-General said, let us always be inspired by the legacy of Kofi Annan — and guided by the knowledge that he will continue speaking to us, urging us on towards the goals to which he dedicated his life and truly moved our world.  (See Press Release SG/SM/19209.)

The Secretary-General met with the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.  He told the President that the cooperation between the United Nations and Ghana could not be better.  He also thanked the President, and through him, the people of Ghana for the moving ceremonies of remembrance in honour of former Secretary-General Annan.

The Secretary-General also met the United Nations country team before leaving Accra.