Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has returned to his native Ghana to a rousing welcome.
Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has returned to his native Ghana to a rousing welcome.
He was met by a party of about 1,000 people of all ages waving the red, gold and green flag of Ghana.
He was met by a party of about 1,000 people of all ages waving the red, gold and green flag of Ghana.
It is not clear how long he will stay home, as the 67-year-old has kept his retirement plans pretty quiet since stepping down last month.
It is not clear how long he will stay home, as the 67-year-old has kept his retirement plans pretty quiet since stepping down last month.
Some want him to enter politics and even have a shot at succeeding Ghana's current president, John Kufuor.
Some want him to enter politics and even have a shot at succeeding Ghana's current president, John Kufuor.
He once hinted of a future in farming.
He once hinted of a future in farming.
Born in Kumasi in 1938, Mr Annan led the UN for 10 years from 1997 and in 2001 he and the UN received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Born in Kumasi in 1938, Mr Annan led the UN for 10 years from 1997 and in 2001 he and the UN received the Nobel Peace Prize.
He can do a lot of things... advise the president and the ministers Accra resident
He can do a lot of things... advise the president and the ministers Accra resident
Although there are mixed views around the world on how Mr Annan fared as head of the UN, here in Ghana, people are very proud of his achievements.
Although there are mixed views around the world on how Mr Annan fared as head of the UN, here in Ghana, people are very proud of his achievements.
"He's a very great man, settling the disputes in some countries. He's done very well," a 13-year-old said at the welcome party.
"He's a very great man, settling the disputes in some countries. He's done very well," a 13-year-old said at the welcome party.
And many want him to stay in Ghana.
And many want him to stay in Ghana.
"He can do a lot of things... advise the president and the ministers, he can do that, I know he can do that," another man said.
"He can do a lot of things... advise the president and the ministers, he can do that, I know he can do that," another man said.
But just maybe he will surprise us all and go for a dramatic career change.
But just maybe he will surprise us all and go for a dramatic career change.
What about putting the high back into Ghanaian high-life music and forming a band... Kofi Annan and the Black Stars?
What about putting the high back into Ghanaian high-life music and forming a band... Kofi Annan and the Black Stars?
Then again - maybe not.
Then again - maybe not.
After 10 years in a stressful job, what do you think Kofi Annan should do in his retirement? Let us know your thoughts using the form below.
After 10 years in a stressful job, what do you think Kofi Annan should do in his retirement? Let us know your thoughts using the form below.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
I think Let him do Voluntary work for free by helping those who are in need in Africa or Giving advise the presidents in Africa.Ssuuna Golooba, Wakiso, Uganda
People of Kofi Annan's calibre are best suited to play roles as "King makers" an equivalent of British Lords. I would want him to stay out of partisan politics in a small Country like Ghana. He would be of limited use.Kenneth Ihenetu, PhD, Corpus Christi USA
I believe Mr. Annan's life could be similar to John Adams. He could farm, but also run - or at least advise - whenever the need occurs.Heather McCrillis, Minneapolis, MN, United States
For me I think he should consider running for the president of Ghana. The reason is, his vast experience in Managing and leading the United Nations could be brought to bear on Ghana for rapid development. Ghana is ready for take off and he is the best person to take us to the next level. Daniel Prempeh, Alexandria, Virginia U.S.A
What he should do next? It's simple, yet tough; do what President Jimmy Carter is doing around the world.
Only that he should concentrate on Africa: Set up a humanitarian organization, and solicit money from the well-to-do.
Channel this money into elevating our poverty-ridden continent. Who knows; another Nobel price?Mickey, San Francisco, USA
I THINK KOFI ANNAN SHOULD BE OPEN A FORUM FOR THE YOUTH ON HOW TO ACHIEVE GREAT AMBITIONMICHAEL DONNE, GHANA
Kofi Annan is a man of dignity, respect and full of ambition. He should head the African Union and bring Africa into faces of the World. Although we would love to see him visit Somalia one day. Bashir Shurie, Mogadishu-Somalia
Without doubt Annan is a great man , full of Intelligent, one who cares the problem of others more than his own problem. One who does not know about Annan's wisdom should go back to documentary views the war between Israelis and Lebanese Militants.
At the retirement still African leaders and the United Nations leaders need his Political Advices to sustain on going governments.Chydex Damian Osigwe, Potsdam- Berlin Germany (Nigerian)
Mr Kofi Annan should not rush into Ghana politics instead take time to study critically the current state of the nation and come out with viable modalities that can take Ghana to its amiable high in the next 4/5 years of his presidency as the case may be.
One thing that is certain is that, overseeing the affairs of the global world is quite different from the grassroots democracy. He should listen to the yearnings of the people if asked to lead his beloved country and I opined that he should just go for one term only so that he can finally retired and still have some time to enjoy his retirement.
I rejoice with him being not just being an African man but for his blueprint legacies. I wish him the best and God's grace.Manuel, Tilbury, U. K
i think he should work with local leaders/government to establish a safer country, good economy, and fight corruption in the country. the country can create a special position maybe call it "personal adviser to the government" not to the president. thanksStephen kusi, Virginia way of Ghana
He may be able to help resolve conflicts in Africa.Olu Akinyede, London
I THINK MR. ANNAN SHOULD JUST RETIRE AND LIVE IN PEACE WITH HIS FAMILY. HE SHOULD NOT VENTURE INTO POLITICS. POLITICS IN AFRICA IS LIKE A PLAGUE WITH SYMPTOMS SUCH AS; DICTATORSHIP, CORRUPTION AND EVEN SATANIC. IT WILL TAKE GENERATIONS TO GET RID OF IT. SO PLEASE MR. ANNAN, KEEP YOUR WELL EARNED GOOD NAME AND CHARACTER. amadu Barry, Rochester, new York (usa)
i would advise him never to enter into the dirty politics going on in the country, rather choose to live a solitary way and maintain his hard worn reputation or if he attempts it his name would be smeared in the mud of Ghanaian politics. a word to the wise is in the north.wisdom kofi semakor, Accra ,Ghana
After 10yrs, I think the great giant should take sometime off and enjoy his family. It is very true that when one is in public eyes, your family gets the short end of the stick. Let us give him some space to enjoy the most important thing in ones life and that is family. Am sure after a few years off the public eyes, Ghana might decide to make him their representative at United Nations. Who Knows.Chibuzo Ekekwe, Maryland, USA
After 10 years in the most stressful and often thankless job in the world, Kofi Annan should take a long deserved rest and spend more time with his family.Adewale Adebanjo, London, UK
Bravo Kofi Annan for a work well don in the UN. We Sierra Leoneans are proud of you. May God bless you and entire family. You brought peace in to Sierra Leone. My advice to you is to enter into active politics pls. don't leave Ghana.BOBSON GLENN SYBASTIAN, FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE
I think that Kofi Annan has had a remarkable career with the UN and returning home to Ghana is the best thing that can happen to the country. It is the hope of many that he will us his experiences to help catapult the nation from a developing country to a middle income economy. Ghana celebrating its Golden jubilee at the time of his retirement, is not just a mere coincidence. Like the jubilee proclaimed by God to his people in the Bible, the jubilee should be a period for Ghana to start on a clean sheet and to work at developing the country through innovation, creativity and technological advancement. The country need people like Kofi Annan to propel it into its rightful place in Africa.Esi Asante, Accra, Ghana
If all professional Africans in the diaspora will follow Annan's example, Africa stand a huge chances of benefiting enormously from such phenomenal experiences brought in.Vincent Leyaro, Dar es Salaam
He should relax and then go into farming.miley, Ghana
He should perhaps volunteer as an aid worker in Rwanda, or adopt orphans of the 1994 genocide. This would make up in part for his and the UN's blunders which cost many lives in Rwanda at the time. Dr. Gerard Morris, Gambia
I would like for Mr. Kofi Annan to sit down and rest his mind after his long leadership at the UN. African politics are dirty and full of uneducated ones that don't understand. Let enjoy his country in particular and African in general. We love him and wouldn't like to miss him. Let him be an example.Obeto Lombaye, Leknes, Norway
Kofi has just "graduated" in Global Politics, from the "University of the United Nations." Yes, it was hectic and it took long to get the job done. Now, Kofi has to move on to the mission field, which is his homeland, Ghana. He must now put into practice, in Ghana, the tricks of the trade that he garnered at the UN. Therefore, "It is Kofi Annan for President of Ghana."Alex M. Ng'oma, Lusaka - Zambia
Have a good rest, reflect on his successes, and especially his failures, and write his memoirs in which he should expose the workings and manipulations at the UN. What a read that would be especially as global conflict threatens to engulf the world. Then, maybe then, he should consider running for the country's presidency, and back into the public arena again. Problem is, in Africa, statecraft is another, totally different ball game! Welcome back to Africa brother Annan!George Nyabuga, Worcester, UK
It is great to have Mr Annan back home. He has been a credit to Ghana in particular and to Africa in general. I think that we can use him in an advisory capacity to the Government of Ghana and the AU.Clement Wiredu Acquah, Aberdeen, Maryland, USA
He should help build the country. I would advise against active politics though as he might find it a bit too murky.Joseph, The Gambia
I think he should get into farming since that could motivate more people to venture into that sector for the betterment of the nation and AfricaEdmund, Accra, Ghana
I think Kofi Annan should first of all take some time off to rest, say, for 6 months. Thereafter, he should seek to play a role in the AU. His international stature will bring more credibility to the organization and enable Africa, for once, to be taken seriously by the rest of the world.
Mr. Annan could help to build the AU into a credible and functional institution that is relevant to Africa's present needs and has enough clout to engage the rest of the world on Africa's behalf.Aniekan Ezekiel, Lagos, Nigeria
He should definitely remain in Ghana. If he chooses not to run for John Kufuor's job then he would do an excellent job in the Ghanaian Government as an advisorDudley Piggott, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
I believe Kofi Annan, should be made to rest whiles on retirement, but on the other side, if he wants to do something to keep him going, then i will advise him to go into farming as he has already hinted. This is because, a man of his calibre should not stand for the Ghanaian public to ridicule him. Ghanaians, and in particular Africans do not understand POLITICS. Kofi, i will advise you to look at other lucrative business than to enter Ghanaian politics.Mrs Adjoa Sarkodee, Takoradi, Ghana
Yes, personally, I am very proud of Mr. Annan. He is a true son of Africa. I would strongly recommend that he consider taking up the leadership of African Union. On Ghana as a country, Mr. Annan might have some problems as most African nations especially English speaking countries of Africa demands leadership with Iron fist. Mr. Annan most invest his ideas in Africa. Africa need him and his leadership. Mr. Annan, thank you so much for your services at the UN. God bless you and Africa !!!Chika Andrew, Texas, USA
I THINK KOFI ANAN'S EXPERIENCE AS THE UN CHIEF CAN BE TAPPED BY AFRICAN LEADERS. HE SHOULD ADVICE THEM AT ALL TIMES.
James Drambi, Lagos, Nigeria
Kofi Annan should focus on bring African countries together for a rapid accelerated development. He should be an African statesman with so much influence on African presidents to do the right thing. I think he should work with the Africa Union body to promote good governance and economic activities in Africa. He should help Africa become a united continent.Gideon Segbefia, Durham, NC USA
I think rather than dabble into the muddy world of politics, Anna should sit down and write his memoir. Africa and the world would benefit more in that venture than in partisan politics.Olayinka Oyegbile, Lagos, Nigeria
I THINK IF HE ENTERS INTO FARMING, IT WILL HELP THE DEVELOPING ECONOMY A LOT. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF IT'S POLITICS HE IS THINKING ABOUT, THEN HE SHOULD FIRST OF ALL TRY AND UNITE THE CURRENT HEAD OF STATE AND THE FORMER HEAD OF STATE AS THIS WILL ESTABLISH HIM AS A TRUE STATEMAN OF THE WORLD!ANWAR SADAT ISSAH, TAKORADI,GHANA
O.K! Come on people, I like Will's idea there of Kofi Annan and the Black Stars. But, but, how about we get Kofi, teaming up with Bill Clinton, on sax, Tony Blair on electric guitar. Who else do we need? A drummer? We also need to beef up the horn section. Who's out there? Can someone please suggest some lyrics. Let's see, something along the lines of...ahhhh! No. Don't let me interfere with your creativity. Come on people, let's take this band to the top of the charts! Michael, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Mr Kofi Annan is an African hero with great dedication and diligence to ensure peace, alleviate poverty, and end misery of the disadvantaged. Mr Annan had better advice the African Union and establish a genuine NGO to fight poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa. with great respect, A.Kidane, AA, Ethiopia
Papa Annan should be hundred percent neutral in Ghanaian politics. He should advice only when and where people seek his opinion on national issues. He should set up a modern type of school complex where the type could only be found in America to train the young ones. Uncle Annan must be aware that there are a group of people in Ghana who are very envious of his status and that he must be very very careful now that he is back home. Some of us are very proud of him but still there are some element of us too who wish him the opposite. Uncle, you are welcome home but be extra careful. AKWAABA, NYAME NHYIRAWO!MBO NA EDWUMA!!John Ashford Aidoo, Accra, Ghana
Lecture at the university of Accra and seminars all over.Alban Ngoran, Brazil-Cameroon
