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Ayorkor Botchwey’s rise to top of Commonwealth, a major feat for Ghanaian diplomac
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
It was a great moment to savour on Monday when hundreds of Ghanaians welcomed Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Her arrival momentarily halted operations at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) when she stepped out from the plane in the company of President Akufo-Addo.
Among the large crowd to welcome her were representatives of the Ga Mantse, Nii Teiko Tsuru II, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters and family members.
Addressing the crowd, the newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has promised to provide the needed leadership to combat climate change which presents a clear existential threat to all.
That, she hopes to achieve by working closely with member states and other multilateral institutions.
“I shall harness opportunities for transformation and enhance our global voice,” she stated.
The exercise was held in Apia, Samoa where she was elected as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
She pledged to build on the work which had been done by the staff of the Secretariat and their partners which had made it possible for the Commonwealth to open new chapters in the shared journey towards deepening democracy, peace, prosperity and economic progress.
The Secretary-General elect also said the Commonwealth with 56 countries had a combined population of 2.7 billion people, with 60 per cent being young people, with 33 out of the 56 being small islands developing states and small states, stressing that, “It is diverse and I’m inspired by the resilience of our member states. We come from different nations and cultures, but we share a Commonwealth of values.”
Additionally, she said her vision was to build on these strengths, promote trade and ensure education, skills training, development and innovation for the teeming numbers.
The election was held at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, held on October 21-26, 2024.
Ms Botchwey contested against Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and Dr Mammadou Tangara of the Gambia.
This makes Ms Botchwey the first African woman and Second African national to hold this prestigious position.
She would succeed Baroness Patricia Scotland of the United Kingdom on April 1, 2025 embarking on a five year term as a Secretary-General.
Ms Botchwey brings to the role an impressive background as a lawyer, diplomat, and communication professional.
She has served as Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for eight years during which she led Ghana’s notable two-year tenure on the UN Security Council.
Her service includes chairing the ECOWAS Council of Ministers for two terms (2020-2022), four terms as a legislator (2004- 2020), and membership in the ECOWAS parliament.
In campaigning for the position, Ms Botchwey proposed six areas to reposition the organisation to respond to the expectations of the 2.7 billion people across the Commonwealth for a decent and fulfilling life.
These were to enhance democracy; strengthen Commonwealth values and realise the democratic dividend; and increase trade and investment cooperation.
The rest are promoting youth, education, skills, innovation and startups; 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.
President Akufo-Addo described Ms Botchwey’s election as an honour that required the support and prayers of all Ghanaians.
Ms Botchwey, he noted, was the first African woman to lead in the history of the organisation, stressing that it was not going to be an easy task because of where we are in human history, with a lot of difficulties ahead.
“But I have absolutely no doubt that you have the qualities necessary to enable you to succeed as Secretary General of the Commonwealth,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
President Akufo-Addo further noted that it was the qualities of competence, hard work, diligence, honesty, and of commitment that drew the massive global support for Ms Botchwey’s candidature for the prestigious office.
“She’s done a yeoman’s job for us as Foreign Secretary. Foreign Secretary, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and several other important international assignments have been very well delivered by this… I still call her a young lady,” he said.
“Let’s all stand together behind her and push her to do a very good job for our country. She now flies the flag of Ghana on the global stage in a way which has not been done since our late, revered diplomat, Kofi Annan, who was Secretary General of the United Nations,” he concluded.
Ms Botchwey has since her election received congratulatory messages as well as well-wishes from friends around the world.
The well-wishers included President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland.
President Akufo-Addo, in a Facebook post, praised Ms Botchwey’s character and dedication to service. Ms Botchwey was her deputy when he served as Foreign Minister in the President J.A Kufour-led government.
“For years, I have watched her serve Ghana, Africa and the international community with unshakeable commitment and grace,” he stated.
The President expressed confidence that her leadership would guide the Commonwealth toward “a future of hope and unity.”
Vice President, Bawumia, took to social media to share his congratulations, writing: “Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, I am happy with the news about your election as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Congratulations on making Ghana proud. Keep shining, and I know you will excel as always.”
According to a Ghana News Agency (GNA) report, Dr Chambas described her election as “a victory for Ghanaian diplomacy.”
Speaking from an AU Retreat in Abidjan, he emphasised that this achievement represents not just personal success but also recognition of African women’s capabilities.
Having worked on Ms Botchwey’s campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific Island countries, he expressed particular satisfaction with the outcome.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, through his adviser on Information and Strategy, highlighted Ms Botchwey’s extensive career in Public Administration and Foreign Affairs as perfect qualifications for the role.
He expressed optimism about working with her to advance the Commonwealth’s vision and strengthen intra-commonwealth trade, particularly emphasising support for an African bid for permanent representation at the UN Security Council.
The outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, warmly welcomed her successor in a social media post, stating: “It is my honour to pass the baton to my dear sister… She will be uniquely blessed, as I have been, to hold this office and serve our precious Commonwealth.”
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Every morning begins the same way for Edwina Anokye-Bempah, with quiet devotion. It is her grounding ritual, a moment of reflection and gratitude before she steps into the dynamic, often unpredictable world of real estate brokerage.
By the time she arrives at the office, she has already set the tone for her day. She reviews the previous day’s tasks, checks what was accomplished and what still needs attention, and then drafts a new to-do list. For her, success is rooted in deliberate planning, discipline, and the commitment to follow through.
Today, Edwina stands out as one of Ghana’s promising real estate brokers, but she is also clear about the distinctions within her field. While many people casually use the term ‘realtor,’ she is quick to explain that only professionals registered with the National Association of Realtors can claim that title.
“Since I am not registered with the association, I am a real estate broker,” she says. It is a role she embraces wholeheartedly, facilitating transactions, connecting buyers and sellers, and ensuring clarity and integrity at every step.
Her journey into the industry took shape at MeQasa, an online platform dedicated solely to real estate. The platform exposed her to developers, agents, and the complexities of property transactions. She worked closely with developers and observed one recurring problem: clients often complained about agents who failed to respond, follow up, or provide accurate information.
With her background in sales and marketing, Edwina felt naturally drawn to the field. It was an industry where she believed she could make a meaningful, positive impact. Real estate, she came to learn, is far more than brick and mortar. It is about helping people secure one of the most important investments of their lives. This understanding shapes every decision she makes.
One of the most challenging tasks in her work is qualifying clients.
“A serious buyer must be willing, ready and able,” she explains. When one of these three qualities is missing, the transaction is likely to stall or collapse entirely.
On the seller’s side, due diligence is equally critical. Ownership disputes, land fraud, and unclear documentation remain some of the biggest risks in Ghana’s real estate sector.
Edwina understands the weight of the responsibility she carries. “The money involved is huge. These are people’s lifetime savings. Most people buy one home or maybe two in their entire lives. You cannot afford to make a mistake.”
Working in what many describe as a male-dominated field has never intimidated her. With an MBA in Marketing and extensive experience in sales roles including a stint as an Account Manager in an advertising agency, she has grown comfortable handling clients, negotiating deals, and presenting herself with confidence.
“My gender has never discouraged me,” she says. “What matters is hard work and ensuring that the client’s needs were met.”
The only occasional challenge, she admits, was maintaining professional boundaries when some men attempt to be overly familiar. Her solution is simple: stay professional and do not over-familiarise yourself with clients.
Her educational journey started in Kumasi, followed by Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School, where she studied Agricultural Science. She continued the same at the University of Ghana before pursuing her master’s degree. After university, she worked on her uncle’s poultry farm before moving into advertising. Later, her role at MeQasa finally opened the door to the career she had long been unknowingly preparing for.
Over the years, Edwina has built a reputation not only for competence but also for care. She recalls one client in particular, an older man relocating to Ghana with no family in the country. After helping him secure two homes, she became the closest person he could rely on. One evening at around 8 p.m., he called to say he felt unwell. Without hesitation, she drove to his home and rushed him to the hospital. Doctors later told her that any delay could have been fatal.
For Edwina, that moment affirmed that the job goes far beyond selling property. “It doesn’t end with the sale,” she says. “You have to look out for people.”
Her influence also extends to younger people observing her journey. She is known for her tenacity, her refusal to give up on clients or tasks, and her resilience in the face of challenges. Those who work around her learn to push forward regardless of setbacks.
“If a deal doesn’t go as expected, you don’t look back. You find a way.”
Beyond real estate, Edwina serves as an interpreter in her church, a role that dramatically boosted her confidence. What began with trembling legs has evolved into a boldness that reflects in her public speaking and client interactions. She credits her growth to God, her senior pastor, her mother, siblings, friends, and her dedicated team — “an amazing circle,” she calls them.
Today, she is also a partner in a showroom business dealing in vanity units, sanitary wares, and tiles, an extension of her real estate insight and experience.
For young people aspiring to join the industry, her advice is clear: “Learn the industry beyond selling. Understand transactions, build strong relationships, and always do your due diligence.”
For Edwina Anokye-Bempah, real estate is more than business; it is trust, service, and impact, one client at a time.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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From the age of five, Daniel Nana Kwesi Kakra Debrah has lived a life surrounded by rhythm, harmony, and the quiet pulse of music. Growing up in a home where instruments filled corners and rehearsals were as normal as conversation, Daniel’s first teachers were not in formal classrooms—they were the sounds, movements, and discipline he absorbed from his father, a committed church musician.
Ironically, music was not Daniel’s first dream. Like many young boys, he once hoped to become a professional footballer. But an injury from a school match left him unable to walk for three months, forcing him to retire that ambition. What seemed like a tragedy at the time became the turning point that aligned him with the path he was always meant to follow.
Daniel’s earliest musical expression began in church. As a boy in Sunday School, he eagerly ‘pounded’ the drums, quickly becoming known as the child who never missed an opportunity to play. Even in Senior High School (SHS), although many of his classmates were unaware of his talent, he continued practising quietly until completing school in 2005.
After SHS, Daniel joined a church music class with the intention of growing as a drummer, but one moment changed everything. Watching a bass guitarist perform stirred something in him. Drawn to the deep, steady tones of the bass, he persuaded a friend to teach him the basics. With no instrument of his own, Daniel practised at home using a broken guitar for more than eight months.
Then destiny intervened. The church’s lead bassist was suddenly suspended, and Daniel stepped in voluntarily during an evening service. That temporary voluntary act became permanent as he was asked by the then Music Director to fill in the gap. From that point, he embraced the bass guitar fully—a decision that defined the rest of his life.
Around 2006, Daniel made a life-changing decision to take his craft seriously. He began practising for hours on end, sometimes up to eight hours a day, often without food, locked away from family and friends, perfecting techniques and expanding his creativity. While others assumed he was outdoors socialising, Daniel was indoors sharpening his gift.
His breakthrough came in 2007 when he performed in the TV3 Bands Alive competition. The exposure, applause, and feedback confirmed his dream: “music was not just a passion; it was his calling,” he said.
With time, Daniel moved confidently into the professional space. He performed at studio sessions, live concerts, weddings, church events, and high-profile national programmes. His talent, discipline, and reliability earned him a reputation that continues to attract respected gospel artistes.
Today, he works closely with Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Chris Apau, and Israel Ofori, who have been of immense help to his career ministry. He also collaborates with several ministries and offers support with musical arrangements, live performances, and studio recordings.
Beyond the stage, Daniel sees himself as a mentor. Many young musicians reach out to him, some visiting in person, others calling for guidance. Whether through hands-on training or virtual coaching, he is always ready to teach. For Daniel, music is not just technique; it is character, discipline, and values. He believes a musician must carry integrity both on and off stage.
Like many musicians in Ghana, Daniel has faced challenges with delayed payments and broken agreements. These experiences have taught him to value professionalism. He now insists on part payment upfront and charges more for his services, a decision grounded in self-respect and fairness.
Daniel’s journey in music has been shaped by various individuals who have supported him at different stages of his career. He acknowledged Opoku Agyeman Sanaa, Kofi Ennin, Andrew Klu, Mr. Samuel Abbey, Mr. Samuel Sarpong Agyei, Paul Quartey, Mr. Nene Emmanuel, and Mr. Isaac Asiedu, saying that their belief in him continues to inspire his journey.
Daniel’s work is guided by his Christian faith. He sees music as ministry, not merely entertainment. Off stage, he is a devoted family man—a husband and father of two, a boy and a girl, who have also started playing musical instruments. During his leisure time, he listens to music, or plays football and action video games.
Through his acts of service and unwavering determination, Daniel continues to inspire others, proving that when passion meets integrity, ordinary men impact the lives of others.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
