Values: The 5 Virtues of Kofi Annan

Se eye ndzeye pa enum yi a, na eye barima (Gather the five virtues, then you are a man) --Fante tribal proverb

In September 2000, “TIME” magazine published an article BY JOSHUA COOPER RAMO about Kofi Annan who I think personifies statesman-like diplomacy. I kept a copy for my son when he gets older but wanted to transfer my thoughts to my Blog.

The article exemplifies the impact that a father can have on the life of his son. Of Annan’s own father - the article states:

“In Ghana, Annan's father is still revered. His name was Henry Reginald Annan--the first and middle names were a legacy of British colonialism, when ambitious Africans named their children as if they were bound for Oxford. Annan happens to be a sturdy Scottish name, and from time to time business associates believed that H.R. Annan was a Highlander--until they met him. In fact, Henry Reginald Annan was a noble of the Fante tribe. He was possessed of a legendary personal reserve. His son recalls seeing him steam up only once or twice--including the day of the cigarette lecture. "He was a man who was very centered, very secure," Kofi says. "His intuitive dignity was almost innate."

The Five Virtues instilled in Kofi by his father were:

1). Enyimnyam (Dignity)
2) Awerehyemu (Confidence)
3) Akokodur (Courage)
4) Ehumbobor (Compassion)
5) Gyedzi (Faith)

This is clearly a great set of virtues to embody in the character of your son. Over the coming weeks, I plan to draft some thoughts on each of these Virtues – based on this article.

Of note is the fact that manhood his defined by recognising a complete set of virtues successfully nurtured in an exhibited by a man – not by other factors that define success by our standards such as career or social status, income, wealth, sexual/sporting conquests or fame.