Ghana: State funeral events in Accra September 10-13 /update 1

Event

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a series of events to commemorate former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Accra from Monday, September 10, through Thursday, September 13. Annan’s remains will arrive at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) by 16:00 (local time) on September 10 and will be greeted by President Nana Akufo-Addo. Annan’s coffin will be placed in the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) from Tuesday, September 11, through Wednesday, September 12, for members of the public and government officials to view. On Thursday, a funeral service will be held at the AICC from 09:00-11:00 followed by a private burial at the Military Cemetery. Significant disruptions, including road closures, heightened security measures, and crowded conditions, are anticipated in the city during the memorial events.

Context

Annan served as the UN’s Secretary-General from 1996 to 2007. He was the first person from sub-Sahara Africa to serve in the post and spent 40 years working at the UN. Annan died on August 18, 2018, in Bern (Switzerland) after a short illness.

Advice

Individuals in Accra, and Ghana more generally, are advised to anticipate disruptions to daily life (transportation disruptions, business closures, etc.) on September 13 and to be respectful of local sensitivities during the memorial event.