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 Ayorkor Botchwey’s rise to top of Commonwealth, a major feat for Ghanaian diplomac

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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.

• Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
• Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

Shirley  Ayorkor  Botchwey
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

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.”

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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.

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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.

Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey interacting with some queenmothers on arrival
Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey interacting with some queenmothers on arrival

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

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Entertainment

Dierre Doors names King Promise as Brand Ambassador for Ghana campaign

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Italian premium security door manufacturer Dierre S.p.A. has named award-winning Ghanaian Afrobeats and Highlife artiste King Promise (Gregory Bortey Newman) as the face of its new Ghana and West Africa marketing campaign.

The partnership, managed by Regiments Management Company Limited, forms part of Dierre’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the West African market.

The two-week campaign, themed “Secure What Matters,” will run across digital, outdoor and influencer platforms, with King Promise featuring in a campaign film showcasing Dierre’s Prestige and Synergy security door ranges.

“Home is everything. It is where you protect the people and things that matter most. Dierre builds doors that reflect exactly that security, quality and style without compromise. I am proud to represent a brand that stands for those values,” King Promise said.

Founded in Italy, Dierre is a global manufacturer of armoured security doors, interior doors and fire-protection systems. Its products carry international anti-burglary certifications across Classes 3, 4 and 5, with the company producing hundreds of thousands of doors, locks and safes annually.

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King Promise is one of Ghana’s leading Afrobeats and Highlife artistes, known for his distinctive sound, international collaborations and growing global audience.

The partnership combines Dierre’s security and design expertise with King Promise’s influence in contemporary African music and culture, as the brand expands its consumer engagement in Ghana and across West Africa.

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From a room to a global enterprise: The Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye story

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• Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye
• Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye

From humble beginnings to building an enterprise with global ambitions, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye’s journey is a story of discipline, independence, resilience and the belief that businesses should be built to outlive their founders.

Long before he became the Group Chairman of M&C Group, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye was building from modest beginnings.

Mr Vanderpuye recieves a citation at the 100 Most Notable African Leadership Excellence Awards

His entrepreneurial journey did not start in a sophisticated corporate office or with a large team behind him.

At one stage, he was working from his room with limited resources, focused on turning an idea into a viable business.

That beginning became an important part of his philosophy: build the business first, then let the infrastructure grow with it.

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Michael Bartlett-Vanderpuye

Michael’s early experiences shaped his determination to become an entrepreneur. After university and periods of professional employment, including banking, accounting, marketing, packaging and logistics, he developed a deeper understanding of how businesses operate and how different industries connect.

 His exposure to mining advisory work, property and other commercial opportunities broadened his perspective and helped him identify opportunities beyond a single sector.

But the journey was far from easy.

He recalls the uncertainty of sending proposal after proposal without knowing which one would eventually open a door.

Even after establishing an office in East Legon, some people assumed he was working for someone else because they could not imagine that the business belonged to him.

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The confidence and corporate presence associated with success today were built through years of uncertainty, rejection, experimentation and persistence.

His evolution from working out of a room to leading M&C Group reflects a broader philosophy that has guided his business life: do not build an image before you build the substance.

For Michael, entrepreneurship is not simply about owning a company. It is about learning how to turn knowledge, relationships, opportunities and resources into sustainable value.

He believes professionals in every field can develop an entrepreneurial mindset by creating assets, building networks, investing in opportunities and developing additional sources of value alongside their careers.

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That philosophy has influenced the way he approaches business expansion. Rather than viewing companies as isolated entities, Michael sees opportunities to create connections between industries, people and services.

Strategic partnerships, in his view, can create greater value than treating every other business as a competitor.

His approach has also been shaped by research and international exposure. He argues that entrepreneurs must understand the markets they enter rather than simply copy businesses they see succeeding elsewhere.

Behind every successful enterprise, he believes, are structures, regulations, relationships, research and decisions that may not be immediately visible from the outside.

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As his business interests have grown, so has his ambition. M&C Group represents a significant chapter in that evolution, reflecting his drive to build an enterprise that extends beyond a single venture.

His vision is rooted not merely in personal wealth, but in creating businesses capable of generating employment, developing people, building partnerships and contributing to the wider economy.

Michael is particularly concerned about the role of the private sector in addressing unemployment and creating sustainable opportunities. For him, a successful business should ultimately do more than enrich its owner. It should employ people, develop skills, support suppliers and create opportunities that extend beyond the founder.

That long-term perspective is central to his understanding of success.

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He is cautious about equating visibility with achievement. In an age where social media can make a business appear larger than it is, Michael believes the real measure of an enterprise lies in its systems, customers, assets, operations and results. The brand should be supported by substance.

His personal journey has therefore become a lesson in patience and discipline. The man who once had to convince people that the business was actually his now speaks about building systems, protecting capital, understanding markets and thinking beyond the immediate reward.

And his ambitions do not stop with the present generation.

Michael describes legacy as something that should extend beyond his children to future generations. His objective is to build something sustainable-something that can continue creating value after he is no longer at the centre of it.

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From a modest room and limited resources to the boardroom and the development of a growing business group, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye’s story is ultimately about building before displaying, learning before expanding and creating something designed to last.

His journey is a reminder that global ambition does not necessarily begin with global resources. Sometimes, it begins with little more than an idea, discipline, persistence and the willingness to start where you are. – MyStoryMagazine

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