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ASWIM congratulates Ms Botchwey as Commonwealth Gen. Sec
Ms Shirley Botchwey
The Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM) has congratulated Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
According to ASWIM, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Botchwey, brings an exceptional wealth of experience, commitment, and vision to this distinguished role, becoming the first African woman to hold this prestigious position.
This was contained in a statement signed by the president of the association, Mrs Mavis Kitcher and copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday.
It said the Commonwealth, representing 2.7 billion people across advanced economies and developing nations, including 33 small states and many island nations, stands to benefit from Ms Botchwey’s leadership.
Her election, it stated, highlights the influence and potential of African women in global governance, marking a significant milestone for Ghana and is testament to the impactful contributions of women in international leadership.
“As the seventh Secretary-General, her dedication and expertise in diplomacy are critical. We are confident that her leadership will advance the Commonwealth’s mission of cooperation, peace-building, and sustainable development, fostering unity across its 56 member states. This is inspirational to women in the media and beyond,” it added.
Throughout her tenure as Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, the statement said, Ms Botchwey has exemplified outstanding leadership and advocacy, spearheading Ghana’s role on the world stage, promoting regional security, economic growth, and international partnerships.
It mentioned that her achievements had made her a role model for women in leadership and public service across Africa and the globe.
The statement said Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey’s outstanding achievements underscore her dedication to public service, diplomacy, and women’s rights.
According to the statement, her leadership had enhanced Ghana’s partnerships globally, including with the European Union (EU), China, and the United States.
The Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM), is an umbrella association for female journalists and media practitioners in Ghana, committed to empowering women in media and advocating for equal representation and ethical media practices.
Through its initiatives, they foster collaboration, professional development, and advocacy to elevate the voices of women in the media industry and the entire nation.
By Spectator Reporter
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
