In order to attend the 27th Heads of States and Governments of the Commonwealth of Nations, President Nana Akufo-Addo departed Accra on Saturday, October 19, and traveled to Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean.
The Commonwealth will hold a conference to elect a new Secretary-General from Monday, October 21 to Friday, October 26, 2024.
Along with two other candidates from The Gambia and Lesotho, Ghana’s Minister of Regional Integration and Foreign Affairs, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, is running for the Commonwealth Secretary-General position.
In a Saturday media interview in Accra, the Minister of Information, Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, stated that the next Secretary-General will be chosen by a vote amongst the 56 Heads of State from the Commonwealth.
President Akufo-Addo traveled to Samoa in this regard in order to support and solicit votes for Ms. Shirley Oyorkor Botchwey, the Ghanaian candidate.
Ghana has always been a strong Commonwealth member, according to Madam Abubakar, who expressed optimism that Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey will be chosen to serve as the Association’s Secretary-General.
Mrs Abubakar stated;
“She is contesting with other contestants from other African countries – The Gambia and Lesotho. We are confident that she is bringing it home and am hopeful that she will become the first African female Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
“I’m inspired by her vision to help achieve climate resilience to promote economic transformation through increased trade and investments. She is also going to leverage technology to create opportunities for our youth,”
The Minister mentioned how Madam Ayorkor Botchwey had been a leading voice for developing countries and expressed hope that, should she be given the mandate, she would establish a network and encourage investment and trade throughout the African continent.
Madam Abubakar announced that she would attend the breakfast meetings in person to talk about a variety of important topics, such as youth and sports.
In order to encourage trade and investment, the conference will develop multilateral contacts and networks amongst the 56 independent Commonwealth member states.
The Minister thought that Madam Oyorkor Botchwey’s audacious decision to lead the Commonwealth would serve as an encouragement to women in Ghana.
