Mr Kofi Annan, Former United Nations Secretary General, says the need to respect sovereignty cannot be used as a shield for citizens to be brutalised by their own governments.

"The international community has a right to intervene, when governments fail to protect the lives of their citizens."

Mr Kofi Annan, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Ghana, said this at the launch of a book authored by him entitled, "Interventions, A Life in War and Peace," on Friday in Accra.

He said one of the core responsibilities of any government, was to protect it's citizens and ensure that their basic rights were protected.

The Former UN Secretary General said it was heartwarming to note that democracy was gradually gaining ground all over the world adding that this was however not enough.

Mr Kofi Annan said there was the need for governments to ensure that peace, justice and the rule of law and respect for human rights were up-held at all times,.

He said these were the key ingredients for the true development of any society.

Touching on the book, the former UN boss said he felt the need to make the world know about how things worked within the UN and what went into ensuring world peace and comfort.

He said he also hoped that the book would encourage young people to get into public service adding "if all the smart ones get into business, who would take the decisions for us?

Mrs Marry Chinery-Hesse, launched the book saying "it teaches the need for team building, listening to other people's views, and also the fact that a successful life needs to be well built and structured.

The 383 page book, consisting of eight chapters, gives an insider's personal account of the UN, including the achievements and challenges of the organisation.

Mr Kofi Annan was UN Secretary General from 1997 to 2006.