A Hero's Homecoming for Kofi Annan

UNCLAS ACCRA 000249 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM PREL AORC GH SUBJECT: A Hero's Homecoming for Kofi Annan ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Homecoming celebrations marked the return to Ghana of former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on January 23, 2007. In a conciliatory gesture, main opposition National Democratic Party (NDC) presidential candidate John Atta Mills attended a welcoming reception hosted by President Kufuor. Annan gave a speech outlining Africa's disappointing history and offering three "pillars" for future progress: security, development and human rights. He said he would now devote his attention to African agriculture. End Summary. ¶2. (U) President John Agyekum Kufuor received Kofi Annan at the Castle on January 24. Members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Parliamentarians and other top government officials, including opposition parties, were on hand to formally welcome Annan. Notably, former Vice President and current NDC presidential candidate John Evans Atta Mills attended the event, his first visit to the Castle since leaving office six years ago. Annan said he plans to live in Ghana, farming and setting up a foundation for African Agriculture. -------------- THREE PILLARS OF PROGRESS -------------- ¶3. (U) On January 25, Annan delivered the Inaugural Golden Jubilee Lecture to a packed auditorium at the International Conference Center in Accra. He reflected on Africa's fifty year history of oppression, conflict and economic stagnation. Africa, he said, had devolved into a land of "big men and broken dreams." Annan noted that independent Africa had erred in emphasizing primary commodities for export, to the detriment of subsistence agriculture. Because of this, he claimed, Africans became subject to market forces without having sufficient control over their livelihoods. Annan continued his remarks by stating that the Green Revolution bypassed African farmers and that Africa is the only continent in the world today that can not feed itself. He also noted that peace was a concept that had not been fully realized in Africa and that "no one invests in a bad neighborhood." Until it is seen as a continent at peace, Annan stated, foreign investors and partners would stay out of Africa. Annan recognized that some recent progress had been made in a few areas and sectors in Africa, but he said a more comprehensive continent-wide strategy was needed for future success. He emphasized "three pillars" needed to build a brighter African future: security, development and human rights. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Annan returned to Ghana a superstar, spurring speculation about his potential role in Ghanaian politics. He stated he is not interested in running as a candidate in Ghana's 2008 presidential election. Nonetheless, one prominent newspaper editor told DCM this week that his paper had recently done a public opinion poll suggesting that a hypothetical Annan presidential bid would garner about 30 percent of the vote in a first round. However, other observers, including senior NDC officials, believe an Annan candidacy would fail badly because he lacks a domestic political base and was a relative unknown in Ghana until he became Secretary General. ¶5. (SBU) Annan may instead use his global diplomatic stature to play some role in trying to bridge differences between the rival NDC and ruling NPP parties. Soon after arriving he paid a call on former President J.J. Rawlings, founder of the NDC. Annan is related to Atta Mills through family ties and ethnicity (both are Fantis),which Mills told us made it an easy decision for him to attend the Castle welcome reception. However, given the deep polarization in Ghanaian politics, it would not be surprising if Annan avoids major domestic political involvement in favor of his agriculture and broader African interests. Whatever he does, his decision to return to Ghana is a source of pride for all Ghanaians. Bridgewater