John Rankin, the Governor, paid tribute today to the late Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Mr Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat who served as Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006, died on Saturday, aged 80.

In a statement from Government House this afternoon, Mr Rankin said: “As UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has commented, Kofi Annan was a statesman and champion of peace who showed that moral leadership can make a big difference.

“I have no doubt that then Governor Sir John Vereker was delighted to receive Mr Annan and his wife, Nane, at Government House in 2005.

“The Bermuda Cedar Tree which he planted in Government House Gardens continues to thrive.”

Condolences also came from Leonard Teye-Botchway, the Honorary-Consulate of Ghana.

Dr Teye-Botchway echoed the tribute paid to Mr Annan by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, who said: “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.”

Mr Akufo-Addo added: “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. Rest in perfect peace, Kofi. You have earned it. God bless.”

Dr Teye-Botchway said that the Ghanaian flag would fly at half-mast at the Consulate, starting today, for one week.

A book of condolences will be opened in Mr Annan’s honour at the Consulate, between noon and 6pm, starting tomorrow.

The office is located at suite six at 129 Front Street in Hamilton.