Kofi Annan Laid To Rest: The Final Farewell
After the hero’s farewell, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan was laid to rest Thursday, at a military cemetery just outside Accra.
It was both a state occasion an the full chieftain funeral rites from Annan’s Ashanti people in North West Ghana. The long lines of people filing through as the body lay in state at the Accra International Conference Centre was a demonstration of the deep sorrow felt by Ghanaians and the great respect they have for Kofi Annan.
In the funeral oration, current UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterez summed up the sense of loss: Kofi Annan was one of a kind, and one of us – a great leader.
Nigeria
At long last, Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun resigns amidst a festering false National Youth Service exemption certificate scandal. A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week. President Buhari accepted her resignation Friday.
But his appointment of Zainah Ahmed as replacement may raise eyebrows even among ruling party APC supporters in the South West. Adeosun is from the South West, Zainab is from the Buhari’s Northern zone.
Ethiopia
The thaw in relationship with Eritrea may give the impression that all is now peace in Ethiopia. The participation task of the new Prime Minister, Ahmed is still a world in progress. Ethiopia still host the largest internally displaced people in the world-1.4 million – more than in Syria, DRC Congo and Yemen.
South Africa
The simmering debacle over land acquisition goes on. The white farmers are increasingly uneasy. But President Cyril Ramaphosa has been very reassuring in his statements , He says “the land reform scheme will be implemented in an orderly manner.”
Zimbabwe
The government, plots short-term economic measures to kick-start progress. Austerity measures are in vogue: the cabinet has been reduced to just 20 persons.
However, some dark clouds have not dissipated. The price of bread- the poor man’s staple food.- is rising.
Government has to act quickly to prevent the kid of bread riots witnessed in other countries.
The lack of sanitation and clean water in Harare is particularly worrying. A cholera outbreak has claimed over 20 lives and 3000 people infected.
It is not just a question of cleaning up dirty places –there is need for sustained public enlightenment campaign on good sanitation. The US says it is not lifting sanctions on Zimbabwe until the country ‘changes its ways’.
President Mnangagwa says he is not worried about sanctions.
The African continent is looking increasingly like the bride of the century. Following the example of China, the European Union and Britain post Brexit are crafting new trade relationships with Africa.
Liberia’s President Weah Makes Football History
Liberia’s President Weah, who was the 1996 World Footballer of the Year, made history again last week when he participated in an international friendly against Nigeria. At 51, he became the oldest player to have participated in a football match, according to football statisticians.
Liberia arranged the Monrovia friendly to retire their number 14 shirt, won by Weah in his playing days.
There are many legends spun around George Weah at the peak of his career, like one about starting from his side’s goal post, dribbling past all the opposition players and past the other side’s goal keeper to score.
The prayer now is that he can dribble past all Liberia’s legacy problems- pot-holed roads, little electricity and scarce potable water – to create a new republic worthy of the dreams of the ex-slaves who founded it in the 19th century. Amen.
Tanzania’s New Coach, Amuneke
The newly appointed Chief Coach of Tanzania, ex-eagle Emmanuel Amuneke, is working hard to create new Tanzanian football eagles that can creditably compete in continental tourneys.
After his under 17 team lost 3-1 to Uganda in a regional qualifier for the U-17 African Cup of Nation, the team has already qualified but the admonished they must begin a winning streak by greatly improving performance.
Amuneke, aside from being the head coach of Tanzania national team, the TAIFA STARS also supervices all other Tanzania age-group national teams.
