Tunde Folawiyo | The United Nations and the Impact of Kofi Annan

Throughout its history, the United Nations has seen various leaders of outstanding character come together to forge positive impact upon the world. Kofi Annan is one such figure whose contributions are forever cemented in African history. From his role in the United Nations to his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize, Annan continues to inspire new generations of African leaders. Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others throughout the world may recognise his various accomplishments.

Kofi Annan comes from a family of traditional chiefs from Ghana’s Fante tribe. He was born on 8 April 1938 in Kumasi’s Kofandros section, and as he grew up he became a student leader throughout his school years. He attended Cape Coast’s Mfantisipim School – a Methodist boarding school – from 1954 to 1957. It was here that he was taught the basic principle that “suffering anywhere concerns people everywhere”.

Upon Annan’s graduation in 1957, the Gold Coast became independent from Britain, becoming known instead as Ghana. Annan was granted a scholarship to begin study in the United States before departing for study in Geneva. Later, he returned to the US to study management at the famous MIT.

In 1958 Annan enrolled at Kumasi College of Science and Technology. He later became a recipient of the Ford Foundation grant, which enabled him to complete his undergraduate studies at St Paul, Minnesota’s Macalester College in 1961. He then completed an International Relations degree from Geneva’s Graduate Institute of International Studies in 1962, before eventually earning a Master of Science degree.

After finishing his formal education, Annan began his rise through the ranks of the United Nations, eventually becoming Secretary General, the top job. He held the role from 1997 to 2007 – a duration of two terms. During this time, Annan garnered the respect of citizens from all over the globe. He is recognised for his ability to maintain honesty and integrity when facing adversity. His stoicism and diplomacy have long served him well as a peacekeeper for the United Nations and other organisations such as the World Health Organisation.

In recognition of his outstanding work towards peace, Annan was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. For this and countless other achievements, he remains one of Africa’s most respected figures. Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others throughout the world will continue to be inspired by the impact he has forged upon world peace.

The many achievements of Kofi Annan | Tunde Folawiyo

Kofi Annan is one of Ghana's most famous figures; in addition to serving as the United Nations' 7th Secretary General for many years, he has also founded the Kofi Annan Foundation, and been awarded the joint Nobel Prize for Peace. Although he retired from his position at the UN in 2006, he has continued to dedicate his time to protecting human rights and promoting peace around the world. Those who are familiar with his career, like Tunde Folawiyo, might know that Annan is an active member, and the chairman of the group known as The Elders, which was established by Nelson Mandela.

In his role as Secretary General, Annan developed a comprehensive reform programme, which was designed to improve the UN's approach to its work, and increase the effectiveness of the international system. In addition to this, he continually advocated for the Millennium Development Goals in Africa, the rule of law, and human rights.

Annan was born in the Ghanaian city of Kumasi in 1938, and began his career at the age of 24, working for the UN agency known as the World Health Organisation, as a budget officer. Following this, he spent two years working as Ghana's Director of Tourism, after which he joined the UN. Several years later, he was appointed as the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Tunde Folawiyo, and others who keep up to date with international affairs, may recall that Annan's initiatives whilst serving in this role greatly improved UN peacekeeping, which made it easier for the organisation to handle the dramatic spike in its personnel and operation numbers during the late nineties. Annan is also credited with encouraging Member States to establish the Human Rights Council and the Peace-Building Commission, and with helping to establish the Global Fund, which has since been used to tackle serious diseases such as Malaria, TB and AIDS. Additionally, he has been praised for encouraging Member States to accept their responsibility to protect people from war crimes and genocide.

The aforementioned Kofi Annan Foundation was set up by its namesake in 2007. Its primary goal is to improve the capacities of nations, and promote a higher standard of international governance, in order to achieve a safer and fairer world for all. The Foundation uses Annan's mediation and preventative diplomacy techniques to achieve its aims.