President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed that all national flags should fly at half-mast across the country and in all of Ghana’s diplomatic missions across the world, from Monday, 20th August, 2018, for one week as Ghana mourns the late Kofi Annan.

Mr Annan died at age 80 in Geneva, Switzerland, after a short illness.

Kofi Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006.

He was the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, as well as chairman of The Elders, an international organization founded by Nelson Mandela.

In 2001, its centennial year, the Nobel Committee decided that the Peace Prize was to be divided between the UN and Annan.

He was awarded the Peace Prize for having revitalized the UN and for having given priority to human rights.

In a statement, President Akufo-Addo said: “I extend, on behalf of the entire Ghanaian nation, our sincere, heartfelt condolences to his beloved widow, Nane Maria, and to his devoted children, Ama, Kojo and Nina, on this great loss. I am, however, comforted by the information, after speaking to Nane Maria, that he died peacefully in his sleep.

“Consummate international diplomat and highly respected former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan was the first from sub-Saharan Africa to occupy this exalted position. He brought considerable renown to our country by this position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena. He was an ardent believer in the capacity of the Ghanaian to chart his or her own course onto the path of progress and prosperity. Undoubtedly, he excelled in the various undertakings of his life, leaving in his trail most pleasant memories. His was a life well-lived.

“I have directed that, in his honour, Ghana’s national flag will fly at half-mast across the country and in all of Ghana’s diplomatic missions across the world, from Monday, 20th August, 2018, for one week.

“Rest in perfect peace, Kofi. You have earned it. God bless.”