By Iddi Yire
Accra, Oct 26, GNA – Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union (AU) High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa, has described Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey’s election as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth as a victory for Ghanaian diplomacy.
Congratulating Ms Botchwey on her feat, Dr Chambas said this was not just a personal achievement but also a recognition of the capacity of African Women.
Reached by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at an AU Retreat in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for an interview, Dr Chambas, revealed that all the delegates there were elated about the selection of the Ghanaian Foreign Minister, as it put an African in the seat; the second woman of colour; and the first woman from African continent to occupy the position.
“She will make us all proud. We wish her every success,” Dr Chambas stated.
He explained: “I was privileged to work on our Minister’s campaign in the Caribbean and the Pacific Island Countries, so you can imagine that I’m especially pleased that Hon. Botchwey has gotten the nod to assume this high office.”
Additionally, he noted that Ms Botchwey had brought glory to Ghana at a moment when national unity and common purpose needed to be rekindled – regardless of the political affiliations.
“Ms Ayorkor Botchwey brings to the post more than a decade at the Foreign Ministry of Ghana, seven of which she was Ghana’s Chief Diplomat,” he pointed out.
Dr Chambas, who is also the AU Chief Mediator in Sudan, reiterated that Ms Botchwey had a keen appreciation of the particularity of small Island Countries facing existential threats of climate change, the needs of young people and institutional reform to adapt the organisation to contemporary challenges in tackling global inequalities.
She was also committed to fighting poverty through economic growth and shared prosperity and improving governance.
Her election, took place, Friday, at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, the capital city of the Pacific Island nation of Samoa, held from October 21 – 26.
Ms Botchwey takes over from the United Kingdom’s (UK) Baroness Patricia Scotland, who is completing her second four-year tenure by the end of December, 2024.
Ms Botchwey, a lawyer and diplomat, who has been Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the past eight years, was chosen from among three candidates.
They are: Senator Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and Dr Mamadou Tangara of the Gambia.
In an X post, minutes after her election on Saturday she said: “I’m honoured and humbled by the trust of Commonwealth leaders. A lot of work lies ahead. But together, we shall work for a New Commonwealth that works for all its citizens.”
Baroness Patricia Scotland, in congratulating her successor said in a social media post: “It is my honour to pass the baton to my dear sister, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey….,“She will be uniquely blessed, as I have been, to hold this office and serve our precious Commonwealth.”
Ms Botchwey, is also a politician and communications professional, with extensive experience in international relations and diplomacy, and public service.
The Commonwealth is a diverse intergovernmental association headed by King Charles II, it promotes, among other objectives, democratic governance among member-states, and cooperation in trade, education, climate advocacy and transparency in financial systems.
In campaigning for the position, Ms Botchwey proposed six areas for repositioning the organisation to respond to the expectations of the 2.7 billion people across the Commonwealth for a decent and fulfilling life.
These are on enhancing Democracy; Strengthening Commonwealth Values and Realising the Democratic Dividend; and increasing Trade and Investment cooperation.
The rest are promoting Youth, Education, Skills, Innovation and Start Ups; enhancing advocacy in mitigating the impact of Climate Change, especially on Small Island Developing States and Small States; as well as effectively managing resources for an effective Commonwealth institution.
GNA