The former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan has pledged his support for acting President John Dramani Mahama to steer the affairs of the country following the demise of the late President John Evans Atta Mills. Speaking at Osu Castle, seat of government in Accra on Tuesday, the former UN boss said he has confidence in the new Ghanaian leader to govern the country within the remaining period to the December 7 general elections. He therefore called on Ghanaians to rally behind him to give the late president a befitting burial.
Annan was in Osu Castle to express sympathy to the government following the death of President Mills. “We have lost a democratic leader and don’t doubt your ability to steer the affairs of the country,” he told Mahama.
In response, President Mahama expressed gratitude to Annan for finding time on his busy schedule and visiting the seat of government to express his condolence. “You and President Mills were close”, Mahama said, adding that he was going to tap the rich experience of the former UN boss on a wide range of national issues.
“I am going to draw from your wide international experience as a distinguished international civil servant that will inure to the benefit of the country,” President Mahama pointed out.
President Mills died on July 24, 2012 after taking ill and since then the country has been thrown into a period of mourning. Burial ceremonies of the late president are expected to begin on Wednesday in Accra