Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan (http://www.freewebs.com/fslf/Kofi%20Annan%20jpg.jpg)

Imagine being the first to do something great, the first president of the United States, the first Black baseball player, or the first man on the moon. These are all great feats, but imagine the humility it would take to accomplish a great first and not acknowledge the racism or segregation that kept others from achieving that in the first place. With all of Kofi Annan’s firsts and great accomplishments, such as, winning a Noble Peace Prize, becoming the first black to become the secretary general in the UN, and other great contributions, his lasting impact will be the way he helps solve the world’s problems with unique perspectives and not letting racism become a factor in his life and get him down.

Kofi Annan Head Shot (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Kofi_Annan.jpg)

Kofi Annan was born on April 8, 1938 in Ghana. In his Ghanaian language, his name means he is the fourth born child and he was born on a Friday. Also his middle name Atta shows that he is a twin. Annan received a vast education including schooling in the United States University. While in school he was able to learn a variety of things including 5 languages which led to his political career in the future and allowed him to do the great things he did.

Kofi Annan Close Up (http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,752187,00.jpg)

Kofi Annan’s first great accomplishment was becoming the first black Secretary General of the United Nations. For Kofi Annan reaching this position and being the first back in it wasn’t enough; he wanted to continue helping people. One way was he did this was he cut waste and increased the responsiveness of the UN. Because of his management reforms and a different way for assessing international contributions to the body he succeeded in inducing the United States to pay back its dues to the organization. These accomplishments show his unique perspective on helping the world.

Kofi Annan Black/White pic (http://davidjohnsonphoto.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/kofi_annan_5505.jpg)

His efforts paid off when he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He won the prize for writing a report to set goals to end poverty and inequality, improve education, reduce violence, combat HIV/AIDS and protect the environment. He along with the U.N. won the prize “for their work for a better organization and more peaceful world.” After this he issued a report outlining the UN’s role in the 21st century.

Kofi Annan Close Up (http://photos.upi.com/slideshow/lbox/37750ea91247aceb02af5f08656ceec1/KOFI-ANNAN.jpg)

Following his prize he still had worldwide influence to accomplish changes. One of the ways he did this was by becoming chairman in the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa after his 2nd 5 year term. Another way he still has so much influence is he became one of the founding members of The Elder, an international group of social change advocates. Both groups are trying to end starvation in Africa by giving them reliable and sustainable agriculture.

All his many accomplishments and the work he continues display Kofi Annan’s unique perspective that made him able to help the world so much. One of his famous quotes that sums up his perspective best is “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.” Kofi Annan will be remembered best for his towards other not his personal ones.