Job Description: International Political Diplomacy: Kofi Annan as a Trailblazer

Kofi Annan's, the UN general secretary, curriculum vitae is outlined in this biographic essay that traces the Ghanian's education & political career from his privileged childhood as a son of Ashanti governor & a member of an elite family of tribal chiefs through his education in the US & Switzerland to the various posts held within the UN organization. Some of the biographic facts discussed are: prestigious schooling in Cape Coast, the experience of witnessing the independence gained by Ghana in 1957, studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN, The Institut des Hautes Etudes Internationales in Geneva, Switzerland, & MIT, Cambridge, MA, & the 42 years of service with the UN, in different cities & various organizations, that culminated with the election for the post of general secretary by the end of 1996. It is observed that Kofi Annan embodies the ideal of the UN as his aspirations & goals were pursued & accomplished through this organization which, in turn, provided the framework for his personal life & professional career. Z. Dubiel