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Ghanaian President Awards Annan State Honor
Ghana's President Jerry Rawlings on Tuesday conferred the state honor of the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana on Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, in recognition of his "unwavering efforts and indomitable spirit toward the achievement of world peace".
The president said at the conferring ceremony that "your initiative, high sense of duty, exceptional skill and performance were ingredients that led to your appointment as Secretary-General, the first Secretary-General to emerge from the ranks of the International Civil Service, thus bringing honor and respect to yourself and Ghana."
Rawlings also said "Ghana would continue to devote its resources, inadequate and strained as they are, to manage conflicts in Africa with a view to removing the factors, which hinder and undermine peace, security, stability and development, according to a report by Ghana News Agency Wednesday.
The president also spoke about the crippling debt burden of developing countries and their lack of access to the international market and said efforts to redress these imbalances are still too hesitant and tentative.
He urged the rich countries to do more to remove elements of the international system, which militate against the advancement of the developing world, particularly Africa, to save humanity from eventual catastrophe.
Annan said in response that he had taken great pride in Ghana's progress in democracy and economic development. "Wherever I have traveled I have only heard praise for our country," he said.
"Today, I believe we as a people stand at an important juncture.
As our democracy is developing strong roots, we must help show the world that Africa can provide stable, prosperous and lasting democracies dedicated to the rule of law," said the visiting UN Secretary-General.
He said Ghana has the potential to become one of Africa's leaders in the 21st century by practicing good governance, educating the young, building a sound infrastructure and seizing on the possibilities provided by globalization.
Annan arrived in Ghana's capital on Saturday night kicking off a five-day official visit, the first to his home country since his election as the UN Secretary-General.
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