A Son of Ghana

Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations.   No discussion of Africans with successful careers can begin without the mention of Kofi Annan of Ghana.  The seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations and the first Secretary-General to be elected from the ranks of United Nations staff.

Mr. Annan joined the United Nations system in 1962 as an administrative and budget officer with the World Health Organization in Geneva. Since then he has served with the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa; the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II) in Ismailia; the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva; and, at UN Headquarters in New York, as Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management and Security Coordinator for the UN System (1987-1990) and Assistant Secretary-General for Programme Planning, Budget and Finance, and Controller (1990-1992).

In 1990, following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, Mr. Annan was asked by the Secretary-General, as a special assignment, to facilitate the repatriation of more than 900 international staff and the release of Western hostages in Iraq. He subsequently led the first United Nations team negotiating with Iraq on the sale of oil to fund purchases of humanitarian aid.

This African Champion of world peace and stability has earned the respect of the world and the admiration of Africans for his success in being elected two terms to the position he currently holds as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Congratulations Mr. Annan, we are proud of your success and hope that you will use your influence to bring peace and security to our home region of West Africa.

Click on this link to learn more about this champion of Africa, Kofi Annan and his impressive career at the United Nations.