Words can’t express how saddened I am to hear that Kofi Annan have left the stage of time. I once read that, “There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without but have to let go.”
Personally, as a young Pan Africanist I have always been an admirer of Kofi Annan. One thing I have always questioned was how he transcended as a ‘black man’ to champion diplomacy, sound leadership and Good Governance at the global level. His ability to create a space of influence served as my greatest motivation. He championed the empowerment of young people at the forefront of global change and innovation as key agents for development and peace.
According to him, “Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society’s margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies.”
It was Christian Bovee who once console saying, “Tearless grief bleeds inwardly.” Words are never adequate in moments like these in mourning a great son of the African soil. Kofi Annan was a general of perseverance, a captain of negotiation, a genius of international relations, and a hero in promoting world peace, youth development and innovation.
He leaves behind a unique family and a new generation of youth challenged by his distinguished legacy of determination for peace and selflessness with matchless dignity and integrity. The universe will miss a great soul.
Joseph M D Johnson
Young Diplomat & Peace Ambassador
YALI Fellow/AU YVC
Republic of Liberia
E: josephmdjohnsonsr@hotmail.com
M: +231 886 26 2676
P: +231 775 26 2676
Joseph M D Johnson 