Speaks to strength of her character, dedication to service - Akufo-Addo reacts to Ayorkor's Botchwey new role

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has congratulated the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, on her election as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) in Apia, Samoa.

A post shared on his X page on Saturday, October 26, 2024, stated, "Today, I feel a deep sense of pride and joy in congratulating Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway on her election as the next and 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. As the first Ghanaian to hold this position, her selection speaks to the strength of her character and her dedication to service, as well as to the esteem in which our nation, Ghana, is held amongst her peers.

"For years, I have watched her serve Ghana, Africa, and the international community with unshakeable commitment and grace. Her work as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is a testament to her devotion to bridging divides and building meaningful partnerships. She carries with her a vision of inclusivity and progress that I know will inspire the Commonwealth family and guide it towards a future of hope and unity."

He further expressed confidence that Shirley Ayorkor Botchway will perform creditably to advance the course of the Commonwealth.

"To my fellow Heads of State and Government, I express my heartfelt gratitude for this resounding vote of confidence in Ghana’s candidate. In choosing her, you have placed your trust in a passionate advocate for our shared values. I am confident that, with Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway at the helm, we will see the Commonwealth flourish, standing as a beacon of cooperation and strength for its people.

"I express our sincere appreciation to the outgoing Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, for her outstanding service to the Commonwealth and its organisations. We wish her God’s blessings and the best of luck in all her future endeavours. I thank also Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afe and the people and the government of this beautiful Pacific island of Samoa for the warm hospitality extended to the Ghanaian and other delegations at this 27th CHOGM," he added.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey brings extensive diplomatic experience to her new role, having recently served as a crucial role to secure funding for African-led peace operations through Resolution 27/19.

Her focus for the Commonwealth includes fortifying democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and addressing climate challenges, especially those affecting small and island states—key themes at CHOGM 2024, held under the banner “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming Our Common Wealth.

Read Akufo-Addo's post below:

Today, I feel a deep sense of pride and joy in congratulating Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway on her election as the next and 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. As the first Ghanaian to hold this position, her selection speaks to the strength of her character and her… pic.twitter.com/0Vlkgpb2SS

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) October 26, 2024

In the meantime, follow Ernestina Asante as she tours the Asokwa Constituency and speaks with MP Patricia Appiagyei in this episode of Campaign Trail on GhanaWeb TV: