Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
Government officials yesterday joined President Nana Akufo-Addo to canvass for votes for Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who is contesting for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
President Akufo-Addo, who expressed a strong confidence in the Foreign Affairs Minister, said she is fit to take on the challenges facing member states, to build resilient and thriving economies through community cooperation and action.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, is set to make history as she gears up to occupy the much-anticipated post.
The 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which started on Monday, October 21, and ends on Saturday, October 26, 2024, is currently taking place at Samoa where 56 heads of state will vote to elect the Secretary-General.
Madam Botchwey, who is contesting with two other people from the Gambia and Lesotho, if given the nod, will become the first African female and also the second African after Chief Emeka Anyaoku from Nigeria to occupy the position.
Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, during an interview with the media in Accra on Saturday, said “there is no time than now and a better candidate than Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey who has distinguished herself in various capacities both in Ghana and within the diplomatic circles.”
Madam Botchwey is a political leader with experience in both private sector and governance having occupied high level positions in foreign affairs, trade and industry, communication as well as a member of Ghana’s National Security Council and chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
The minister said the heads of state meeting will also afford them opportunity to discuss matters concerning the youth, the economy as well as make a good case for other heads of state to support Ghana in its bid to take up the position of the Secretary-General.
“So we are all ready to go out there to make a good case for Ghana, to build networks, relationships, and also ensure that our Honourable Foreign Affairs Minister gets the nod to serve as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in the next term.”
It will also provide opportunity to facilitate trade among respective countries, drawing inspiration for other women who may aspire for such positions in future,” she added.
Among the vision of Madam Botchwey include building resilience across the Commonwealth, responding effectively to the existential crisis of climate change and natural disasters, and repositioning member states in the areas of trade and investment, youth, education, innovation and startups among others.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah