“A guiding force for good” and a “proud son of Africa who became a global champion for peace and all humanity.”

The UN has described the late Kofi Annan, as “a guiding force for good” and a “proud son of Africa who became a global champion for peace and all humanity.”

Annan, the former Secretary-General of the World body, died after a short illness, according to a statement published on his official Twitter account on Saturday.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement said Annan remained someone he always turns to for counsel and wisdom.

The UN chief said, “He provided people everywhere with a space for dialogue, a place for problem-solving and a path to a better world.

“In these turbulent and trying times, he never stopped working to give life to the values of the United Nations Charter. His legacy will remain a true inspiration for all us.”

The former Secretary-General headed the intergovernmental organisation from 1997 to 2006.

Nane Maria Annan, wife of late ex-Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has revealed how her husband died.

Mr. Annan’s foundation confirmed his demise in a statement on Saturday.

However, speaking to Ghana’s President, Nana-Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the bereaved wife of the top diplomat said her husband died peacefully in his sleep.

This was made known on the verified Facebook page of President Akufo-Addo on Saturday.

The President wrote: “The Government and people of Ghana, First Lady Rebecca and I are deeply saddened by the news of the death, in Bern, Switzerland, of one of our greatest compatriots, Mr. Kofi Annan.

“I extend, on behalf of the entire Ghanaian nation, our sincere, heartfelt condolences to his beloved widow, Nane Maria, and to his devoted children, Ama, Kojo and Nina, on this great loss. I am, however, comforted by the information, after speaking to Nane Maria, that he died peacefully in his sleep.

“Consummate international diplomat and highly respected former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan was the first from sub-Saharan Africa to occupy this exalted position.

“He brought considerable renown to our country by this position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena. He was an ardent believer in the capacity of the Ghanaian to chart his or her own course onto the path of progress and prosperity. Undoubtedly, he excelled in the various undertakings of his life, leaving in his trail most pleasant memories. His was a life well-lived.

“I have directed that, in his honour, Ghana’s national flag will fly at half-mast across the country and in all of Ghana’s diplomatic missions across the world, from Monday, 20th August, 2018, for one week.

“Rest in perfect peace, Kofi. You have earned it. God bless.”