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As
we stand in disbelief following the events that have unfolded in
Nairobi, our sincere condolences go out to each victim and their loved
ones.
It is truly shameful that such brilliant sparks of inspiration have been quashed so violently. I am of coursegiving specific mention to Africa’s loss of a gifted author, an enlightened poet and a political statesman, Mr. Kofi Awoonor.
Truly
a literary giant and the pride of Ghana, George Kofi Nyidevu
Awoonor-Williams was slain in the Westgate Mall tragedy during the
course of the siege that occurred throughout the weekend.
Founder
of the renowned Ghana Playhouse, Kofi or, as he was affectionately
referred to, ‘Prof’, has always taken great pride in the cultivation of
art, whether read in his luminous prose or experienced through his
advances in theatre and drama, works beloved throughout the country and
indeed ECOWAS.
Understanding
the power and thus great responsibility in harboring a mastership of
the written and spoken word, from 2009 until January of this year, Kofi
efficiently served as Chairman of the Council of State, aleading
advisory body to the President of Ghana.
It
is thus ever more deplorable that such an accredited, kind-hearted and
pragmatic thought-leader should be but one of the many taken from us so
hastily, so senselessly, by blind insurgent extremism.
One
cannot rationalize the events that unfolded at Westgate Mall, once and
soon once more a hub of commerce and tourism, filled with innocent
lives, each with their own story worthy of a Kofi Awoonor depiction.
Checking
the ever-networking threat of terrorism requires a wide breadth of
understanding and indeed pragmatic partnerships to be forged across the
continent and around the world.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his son, for whom we wish a speedy recovery, and the many that have fallen.
We
wish for swift justice brought to the perpetrators and ultimately a
sound, lasting resolution brought to this unforeseen conflict.
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