President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo celebrated the election of Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, describing it as a proud moment for Ghana. In his congratulatory message, Akufo-Addo praised Ayorkor Botchwey’s character and dedication, affirming that her hard work had earned her the honor of succeeding Patricia Scotland from the UK.
“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,” the President shared on X, highlighting Ayorkor Botchwey’s historic achievement as the first Ghanaian in the role. He noted that her election reflected her commitment to service and the respect Ghana holds among other nations.
The announcement was made during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) held in Apia, Samoa. Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to Commonwealth leaders for their trust in Ayorkor Botchwey, describing her as a passionate advocate of the Commonwealth’s values. He also thanked outgoing Secretary-General Patricia Scotland for her contributions and commended Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and the people of Samoa for their hospitality.