Candidature Statement
We, the people of the Commonwealth, come from diverse nations and cultures, but we share a common wealth of values.
I am Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. I’m honoured to be the candidate of the Republic of Ghana for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, when Heads of State meet in Samoa in October this year, to elect one.
I am inspired by Kente, the colourful, hand-woven fabric and emblem of Ghanaian and West African culture and style. Its array of threads weaves a tapestry that expresses unity and beauty in diversity. Each strand counts, affirms and strengthens the other, bringing the whole to life.
This is how I perceive the Commonwealth.
Resilience across board
In the Commonwealth, industrialized and developing countries alike, need one another; each must re-affirm the other to enable the institution to work even better for all its peoples.
I want to work with member states to build resilience for the times we face: stagnating economies; ever-increasing inequality; high youth unemployment; climate disasters; and threats to democracy and human rights.
We must work – together – to create resilience across board, building on our common traditions, and our respective strengths and comparative advantages.
I have a vision of transformation for a New Commonwealth; a vision that seeks to raise living standards in member-countries, by promoting a comprehensive Commonwealth plan around the following.
Trade and Investments
Climate Change
Youth, Education, Skills & Innovation
Managing Resources Effectively
Small Island Developing States
Prepared for transformation
My extensive experience over the past two decades, in diplomacy, trade, defence, security, communications, and as a mother have prepared me well for the challenge of transforming the Commonwealth.
Under my two-year leadership as Chair of Ecowas Council of Ministers, I oversaw reforms of the ECOWAS Commission, leading to significant savings which were subsequently utilized for Community Programmes.
Those reforms were undertaken during a period of political instability in the region, requiring me to lead successful missions to ensure transition to democracy in several West African countries.
Securing our common future
During Ghana’s recent two-year tenure on the UN Security Council, I sought the interests, not only of my country, but of Africa and other developing nations towards Peace and Security.
And so in December 2023, I worked together with other members to have a resolution passed at the Security council, which would ensure that henceforth, all peace-keeping operations would be funded directly from the United Nations.
So, I am ready; ready for the exciting opportunity of working together with all Commonwealth leaders to build an ever stronger organization, to make our planet more secure and, together weave a brighter future, a happy tapestry of and for all our peoples.