Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Oyorkor Botchwey is billed to be the suitable next Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
If she wins the election, then she will become the first African female Secretary General of the Commonwealth. She will succeed Patricia Scotland Baroness. The election is scheduled to take place this week during the 27th Heads of States and Governments of the Commonwealth meeting which starts on October 21 – 26 at Samoa.
Presidents Akufo-Addo as well as other government officials have already left the shores of Ghana to attend the meeting and to also offer their unflinching support to the Minister who is vying for the highly competitive position.
Madam Shirley Oyorkor Botchwey’s candidature has already been endorsed by President Akufo-Addo and former President Mahama and her win will be a win for the country as a whole as Ghana continues to make significant impact at the commonwealth.
Her wealth of experience in the diplomatic space has earned her the right as the best candidate for the role. Since her endorsement by President Akufo-Addo she has been campaigning across the diplomatic space championing issues bordering on climate change, education, youth and innovation within member states.
Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar during a media engagement said she is confident in Madam Shirley Oyorkor Botchwey’s ability to win the election.
According to the Information Minister, who is also part of the delegation going on the trip, Madam Botchwey has an exceptional diplomatic record that sets her apart from her two contenders, Senator Joshua Setipa from the Lesotho and Dr. Mamadou Tangara of the Gambia.
“The Commonwealth has 56 countries, mostly under the British rule in the past and who are pursuing development and Ghana is a very formidable member of the commonwealth. Madam Shirley Oyorkor Botchwey has distinguished herself in service to the country and also on various committees within the diplomatic circles. We are confident that she is bringing it home as the first African female Secretary General of the Commonwealth. There isn’t any better candidate than her”. She explained.
Madam Abubakar noted the significance of the meeting and what role she and other members of the government’s delegation will be playing during the weeklong meeting.
“The President has already left to go and support her. I will be there as well as other government officials to support her in her pursuit. That aside there are a lot of activities that will take place. I will be part of a breakfast meeting that seeks to discuss matters concerning youth and sports and other matters, so we are all ready to go out there to make a good case for Ghana and also ensure our Minister gets the nod as the Secretary General. It’s very significant because 56 heads of state will be there.
“We will be building the necessary network for our country and the inspiration a lot of young women will draw from it. It means a lot because apart from the UN, the Commonwealth is the second respected organization, so we are all excited about the opportunity and hope she gets the nod “. Madam Abubakar further noted.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is a biennial summit of the governmental leaders from all Commonwealth nations. Every two years the meeting is held in a different member state and is chaired by that nation’s respective head.
This year’s meeting of the fifty-six heads of state is on the theme: “One resilient common future: transforming our commonwealth with an aim to strengthen resilient democratic institutions upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law.”
The post Ayorkor Botchwey has a date with destiny at 27th Commonwealth meeting in Samoa first appeared on 3News.
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