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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