Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Ali Sabry
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, held talks with her Sri Lankan counterpart, Mr. Ali Sabri, in Colombo, to discuss her bid for the Commonwealth top job and ways to cooperate on economic resilience.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, and especially the Commonwealth, as well as Ms. Botchwey’s candidacy for Commonwealth Secretary-General and how Ghana and Sri Lanka can learn from each other’s experiences in navigating economic challenges.
Both countries have faced similar difficulties, with Sri Lanka experiencing a financial crisis and Ghana seeking an IMF bailout.
“As Commonwealth countries who have gone through similar difficult economic experiences recently, there’s a lot we can learn from each other,” Ms. Botchwey reportedly said to her Sri Lankan counterpart.
She added, “This is extremely important for us in the Commonwealth that we’re able to draw from each other’s experiences and learn where other members have unique expertise.”
The minister praised Sri Lanka’s green energy transition, with renewables providing 50% of the country’s power needs, and expressed interest in learning from their expertise.
The two countries aim to strengthen ties and cooperate on economic development, with inflation rates decreasing in both nations.
The meeting comes ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in October, where Ms. Botchwey’s candidacy will be decided.
Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey took the opportunity to outline her vision for the Commonwealth, should she succeed Baroness Patricia Scotland as Secretary-General.
Some of the key components mentioned by the Foreign Minister are addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development; fostering democracy, good governance, and tangible economic outcomes; and enhancing education, skills training, and support for start-ups.
Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey also mentioned economic cooperation in which she said she would boost trade and investment among member states of the Commonwealth.
According to her, her vision aims to drive progress and prosperity within the 56-member organisation, building on her experience and expertise.
Her candidacy will be decided at the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in October.
By Ernest Kofi Adu