29 Oct Newly elected Secretary-General of The Commonwealth Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey arrives in Accra
Following a historic milestone at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) in Apia, Samoa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and now the newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth has returned to a warm welcome in Ghana. She arrived along with the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo on Monday 28th October, 2024.
During a press briefing, President Akufo-Addo, commended Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey for elevating Ghana’s international standing and legacy. President Akufo-Addo praised her accomplishments and pledged Ghana’s full support for her as she embarks on her prestigious role as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. He called on Ghanaians to support her, as it is an opportunity for Ghana to significantly impact the world stage.
On her part, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, expressed her gratitude to Ghanaians for supporting her and reiterated her vision to build on the trends of a Commonwealth of common values, promoting trade and ensuring education, skills training development and innovation for the teaming numbers of young people across the Commonwealth. She further assured that she would provide sterling leadership and work to harness the strengths of member states in collaboration with other multilateral institutions towards addressing climate change which presents a glaring threat in the Commonwealth.
Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey’s election as the first African woman and Ghanaian to lead the Commonwealth marks another pivotal moment for Ghana’s diplomatic history as it adds to the country’s numerous contributions to the comity of states. She would officially assume office on 1st April, 2025, succeeding H.E. Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Present to welcome Hon. Botchwey were, Senior Government officials, staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Traditional and Religious leaders and other well-meaning Ghanaians.