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GHANA’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, SHIRLEY BOTCHWEY ELECTED AS COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL

The Ghanaian foreign affairs minister and Regional Integration Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has been elected as the seventh Secretary-General of the Commonwealth by the 56-Member States of the Commonwealth. Her selection was confirmed during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa.

Politique

By MANZI

On dimanche 27 octobre 2024

18 Personnes ont consulté cet article

Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has been elected as the seventh Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Her selection was confirmed during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa

The election of Botchwey makes history as the first African woman, and the second African national to occupy the position.

She has been serving as Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister since January 10, 2017, and has extensive diplomatic experience

Ms Botchwey takes over from the United Kingdom’s (UK) Baroness Patricia Scotland, who is completing her second two-year tenure by the end of December, 2024.

Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a lawyer and diplomat, who has been Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the past eight years. Ms Botchwey, is also a politician and communications professional, with extensive experience in international relations and diplomacy, and public service.

Meeting of Commonwealth foreign ministers

She was chosen from among three candidates : Senator Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and D^r Mamadou Tangara of the Gambia.

She announced her candidacy for Commonwealth Secretary-General earlier this year and as part of her campaign, traveled to various Commonwealth member states to share her vision and priorities for the organization.

She enjoyed massive support across all regions of the commonwealth and was endorsed by the African Union.

Outgoing Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland expressed confidence in Ayorkor Botchwey’s abilities, stating, "It is my honour to pass the baton to my dear sister, the Hon. Shirley @AyorkorBotchwey, who will succeed me as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. She will be uniquely blessed, as I have been, to hold this office and serve our precious Commonwealth. A lot of work lies ahead. But together, we shall work for a New Commonwealth that works for all its citizens.”

For the first time in 20 years after Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Africa got the opportunity to elect the leadership of the Commonwealth.

In campaigning for the position, Ms Botchwey proposed six areas for repositioning the organisation to respond to the expectations of the 2.7 billion people across the Commonwealth for a decent and fulfilling life. These are on enhancing Democracy ; Strengthening Commonwealth Values and Realising the Democratic Dividend ; and increasing Trade and Investment cooperation.