President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has praised Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey for her election as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, calling it a proud and joyful milestone for Ghana.
In his congratulatory message to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the President praised her character and dedication to service, noting that her hard work has been rewarded with her selection to succeed Baroness Patricia Scotland of the United Kingdom.
“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. As the first Ghanaian to hold this position, her selection speaks to the strength of her character and her dedication to service, as well as to the esteem in which our nation, Ghana, is held amongst her peers,” the president wrote on his X handle.
Ayorkor Botchwey was announced as the new Secretary General during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024), held in Apia, Samoa, on Friday, October 25.
President Akufo-Addo also expressed his gratitude to his fellow Heads of State of the Commonwealth who reposed their trust in Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey by endorsing her candidature.
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. As the first Ghanaian to hold this position, her selection speaks to the strength of her character and her… pic.twitter.com/0Vlkgpb2SS
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) October 26, 2024
“To my fellow Heads of State and Government, I express my heartfelt gratitude for this resounding vote of confidence in Ghana’s candidate. In choosing her, you have placed your trust in a passionate advocate for our shared values. I am confident that, with Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway at the helm, we will see the Commonwealth flourish, standing as a beacon of cooperation and strength for its people.
“I express our sincere appreciation to the outgoing Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, for her outstanding service to the Commonwealth and its organisations. We wish her God’s blessings and the best of luck in all her future endeavours.
“I thank also Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afe and the people and the government of this beautiful Pacific island of Samoa, for the warm hospitality extended to the Ghanaian and other delegations at this 27th CHOGM.”