AS WE EULOGIZE KOFI ANNAN 80, UGANDA'S LEADERS SHOULD PICK A LEAF FROM A MODEL SON OF AFRICA.

"Kofi Annan, the first black African Secretary General has died aged 80 in Switzerland his aides said. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 18, 2018 after a short illness".

Annan served two terms as UN Chief from 1997 to 2006, and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for humanitarian work for his efforts. He later served as UN Special Envoy for Syria, leading efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The Kofi Annan Foundation in a statement announcing his death, he was described as 'a global statesman and a deeply committed internationalist who fought throughout his life for a fairer and more peaceful world. "Whenever there was suffering or need, he reached out and touched many people with his deep compassion and empathy".

The career diplomat died in hospital in the Swiss city of Bern. He had been living near Geneva for several years.

"Anna's wife, Nane and three children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his last days", the Kofi Annan Foundation said.

Kofi Annan was a son of Ghana and he felt special responsibility towards Africa. He was committed to many African developments.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo has ordered flags to be flown at half - mast across the country and in Ghana's diplomatic missions across the world for seven days starting Monday, August 20, 2018.

The Ghana President called the Late Annan "One of our greatest compatriots".

In 2015 Kofi Annan said, "After 40 years with the United Nations, I have learned that healthy democratic societies are based on three pillars: peace and security, sustainable development, the rule of law and respect of human rights.

In an interview with BBC's HardTalk to mark his 80th birthday in April, Mr. Annan acknowledged the UN's shortcomings, saying it "Can be improved, it is not perfect but if it didn't exist, you would have to create it".

Kofi Annan described his greatest achievement as the Millennium Development Goals which for the first time set global targets on issues such as poverty and child mortality.

"Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good. It is with profound sadness that I learned of his passing ... In these turbulent and trying times, he never stopped working to give life to the values of the United Nations Charter. His legacy will remain a time inspiration for all of us," United Nations Secretary General - Antonio Guterres.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation mourns the passing of Kofi Annan.

"A very honourable and humble person! Inspirational Statesman and great UN Secretary General during a tumultuous time of upheavals in history! RIP Kofi Annan," Jaime Gunn.

"A life well lived and a life worth celebrating," Esther Metto.

"Thank you Sir for all you have done for the betterment of humanity. May God bless your soul. Amen," Chima Onwuama.

"Such infectious smiles. He was a true son of mother earth. Rest in Peace Kofi Annan. The world mourns for you, but will for ever live as we continue in your footsteps. Peace is what you lived for and in peace you shall rest," Amb. Herbert B Bangura.

"A great leader, May his soul rest in peace," Moqaddas Farah.

"Very sad to hear that. He was a wealth for the humanity. May his soul rest in peace," Midale Nonn.

"Great man, he left behind a great legacy for Africa, May his soul rest in peace," Janet Ongole.

"Kofi Annan - A man of peace in a world of wars," Uzor Irechukwu.

Annan was not immune to criticism. His critics blamed him for the UN's failure to halt the genocide in Rwanda in the 1990's when he was head of the Organization's Peace Keeping Operations.

May the good Lord comfort his family.

KOFI ANNAN, YOU HAVE LIVED A LIFE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HUMANITY.

MAY THE GOOD LORD REST YOUR SOUL IN PEACE THAT YOU ADVOCATED FOR WHILE ALIVE.