Who was Kofi Annan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Kofi Atta Annan

Died At Age: 80

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Nane Maria Annan (m. 1984), Titi Alakija (m. 1965–1970)

father: Henry Reginald Annan

mother: Victoria Annan

siblings: Efua Ataa

children: Ama Annan, Kojo Annan, Nina Cronstedt de Groot

Born Country: Ghana

Nobel Peace Prize Diplomats

Height: 1.75 m

Died on: August 18, 2018

place of death: Bern, Switzerland

Notable Alumni: School Of Management, University Of Science And Technology

More Facts

education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Macalester College, MIT Sloan School of Management, Mfantsipim School, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

awards: 2000 - Kora All Africa Music Awards
2001 - Nobel Peace Prize
2002 - Profiles in Courage Award

2002 - James Madison Award for Distinguished Public Service
2006 - Award of the European Academy of Informatization
2006 - International Achievement Award
2006 - Olof Palme Prize
2007 - special award
2007 - People in Europe Award
2007 - MacArthur Award for International Justice
2007 - North-South Prize
2008 - Peace of Westphalia Prize
2008 - Harvard University Honors Prize
2008 - Gottlieb Duttweiler Prize
2008 - Peace of Westphalia Prize
2008 - Open Society Award
2011 - Gothenburg Award
2012 - Confucius Peace Prize

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What was Kofi Annan's role in the United Nations?

Kofi Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He was the first person from sub-Saharan Africa to hold this position.
2

What was Kofi Annan's involvement in peacekeeping efforts?

During his time as Secretary-General, Kofi Annan played a key role in overseeing various peacekeeping missions around the world, including in East Timor, Sierra Leone, and Kosovo.
3

How did Kofi Annan address the issue of global poverty?

Kofi Annan was a strong advocate for addressing global poverty and promoting sustainable development. He launched the Millennium Development Goals during his tenure at the UN to tackle poverty, hunger, and disease.
4

What was Kofi Annan's stance on human rights?

Kofi Annan was a vocal proponent of human rights and believed in the importance of upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He worked to promote human rights and protect vulnerable populations during his time at the UN.
5

How did Kofi Annan contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS?

Kofi Annan was instrumental in raising awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and advocating for increased resources to combat the disease. He launched the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria to support prevention and treatment efforts worldwide.

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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT)

Childhood & Early Life

Kofi Atta Annan and his twin sister, Efua Atta, were born to Victoria and Henry Reginald Annan in Kumasi, Ghana. Henry Reginald used to work as an export manager for the Lever Brothers cocoa company.

Both of his grandfathers and his uncle were tribal chiefs and he was raised in one of Ghana's aristocratic families.

He attended the elite Mfantsipim School, a Methodist boarding school from 1954 to 1957. It was here that he learnt "that suffering anywhere concerns people everywhere."

Ghana became the first British African colony to gain independence in 1957, the same year when Annan graduated from the Mfantsipim School. As a member of the generation that witnessed their country’s independence struggle and subsequent victory, he grew up thinking that everything was possible.

He joined the Kumasi College of Science and Technology in 1958 for a degree in economics. Receiving a Ford foundation grant enabled him to complete his undergraduate studies in economics at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1961.

He then undertook graduate studies in economics at the Institut des hautes études internationales in Geneva, Switzerland from 1961 to 1962.

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Career

Kofi Annan’s career with the UN began in 1962 when he joined as an administrative and budget officer with the World Health Organization in Geneva.

He took a short break from being an international civil servant when he worked as the director of tourism in Ghana from 1974 to 1976.

In the 1980s, Annan returned to work for the UN as an Assistant Secretary-General in three consecutive positions: Human resources management and security coordinator (1987-1990); programme planning, budget and finance, and controller (1990-1992); and peacekeeping operations (1993-1996).

Before becoming the Secretary-General, he also served as Under-Secretary-General.

His first five-year term as the UN Secretary-General began on 1 January 1997 when he replaced outgoing secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt.

In 1998, he appointed a lady, Louise Frechette of Canada, as the first deputy secretary-general in an attempt to bring about more gender equality within the UN system.

His second term as Secretary-General began on 1 January 2002 when his tenure was renewed. His reappointment to the post was an indication of his immense popularity.

After leaving the UN, he returned to Ghana where he became actively involved with a number of organizations like the Global Humanitarian Forum, The Elders, United Nations Foundation, One Young World, etc.

In February 2012, Annan was appointed as the joint U.N.-Arab League special envoy to Syria in an attempt to deal with the ongoing conflicts there. He resigned in August 2012 owing to lack of any progress due to intransigence on the part of all the concerned parties.

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Major works

As the Secretary-General of the UN, he launched the “Global Compact” campaign in 1999, which is the world’s biggest initiative for promoting corporate social responsibility.

Annan viewed the HIV/AIDS pandemic as his “personal priority”, and in April 2001, issued a “Call to Action”, proposing the establishment of a Global AIDS and Health Fund to help developing countries deal with the crisis.

After the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US, he played a crucial role in stimulating the General Assembly and the Security Council to take actions for combating terrorism.

In 2005, he presented a progress report, ‘In Larger Freedom’, to the UN General Assembly in which he recommended a host of reforms to renew and strengthen the UN organization.

Awards & Achievements

Annan and the UN were jointly awarded The Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for “their work for a better organized and more peaceful world."

Personal Life & Legacy

Annan married a Nigerian woman Titi Alakija in 1965, but they later separated in the 1970s, and divorced in 1983. They have two children, Ama and Kojo, together. He later got married to Nane Lagergren, a Swedish lawyer. She has a daughter from a previous marriage.

Kofi Annan died on August 18, 2018, in Bern, Switzerland. He was 80.

Facts About Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan was known for his love of chocolates, often carrying a stash with him during his international travels.

Despite his busy schedule as UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan made time to engage in his favorite hobby of fly-fishing whenever possible.

Kofi Annan was a talented linguist, fluent in several languages including English, French, and his native language of Akan.

In his free time, Kofi Annan enjoyed playing the traditional Ghanaian board game Oware, showcasing his appreciation for his cultural heritage.

Kofi Annan had a great sense of humor and was known for his witty remarks and ability to lighten tense situations with a well-timed joke.

Kofi Annan Biography

You wanted to know

What was Kofi Annan's role in the United Nations?

What was Kofi Annan's involvement in peacekeeping efforts?

How did Kofi Annan address the issue of global poverty?

What was Kofi Annan's stance on human rights?

How did Kofi Annan contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS?