Former President John Dramani Mahama has congratulated Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on her election as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
In a statement, the former President said: “You will be joining a special group of diplomats to help make the Commonwealth and the world a better place.
“I am particularly excited that after Patricia Scotland, we have another distinguished female at the head of the Commonwealth.
“Make Ghana and Africa proud with your leadership of the 56-member Organisation.”
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has been elected by the 56-Member States of the Commonwealth, as the next Secretary-General.
She makes history as the first African woman, and the second African national to occupy the position.
Her election, took place, Friday, at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, the capital city of the Pacific Island nation of Samoa, held from October 21 – 26.
Ms Botchwey takes over from the United Kingdom’s (UK) Baroness Patricia Scotland, who is completing her second four-year tenure by the end of December, 2024.
Ms Botchwey, a lawyer and diplomat, who has been Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the past eight years, was chosen from among three candidates.
They are: Senator Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and Dr Mamadou Tangara of the Gambia.
In an X post, minutes after her election on Saturday she said: “I’m honoured and humbled by the trust of Commonwealth leaders.
A lot of work lies ahead. But together, we shall work for a New Commonwealth that works for all its citizens.”
Baroness Patricia Scotland, in congratulating her successor said in a social media post: “It is my honour to pass the baton to my dear sister, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey….,
“She will be uniquely blessed, as I have been, to hold this office and serve our precious Commonwealth.”
Ms Botchwey, is also a politician and communications professional, with extensive experience in international relations and diplomacy, and public service.
The Commonwealth is a diverse intergovernmental association headed by King Charles II, it promotes, among other objectives, democratic governance among member-states, and cooperation in trade, education, climate advocacy and transparency in financial systems.
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.
The rest are promoting Youth, Education, Skills, Innovation and Start Ups; enhancing advocacy in mitigating the impact of Climate Change, especially on Small Island Developing States and Small States; as well as effectively managing resources for an effective Commonwealth institution.
