President Bola Tinubu has sent congratulations to the newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s support for Botchwey, highlighting her considerable experience in public administration and foreign affairs as key qualifications for the role.
Tinubu emphasized his belief that her leadership will invigorate the Commonwealth’s efforts to enhance economic and political partnerships, aiming to elevate the bloc’s influence in global matters.
The 61-year-old, a lawyer, has spent the last seven years as Ghana’s foreign minister, and is expected to assume office on April 1, 2025.
Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, was elected as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth by leaders of the 56 member nations during a meeting in Apia, Samoa.
Following a contentious summit in Samoa on Saturday, Botchwey beat two other candidates all advocating for reparations and addressing the colonial legacy.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s Botchwey emerges Commonwealth scribe
Botchwey’s election marks a historic moment as she becomes the second African to hold this prestigious position, following Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who served from 1990 to 2000.
Looking ahead, President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a Commonwealth that emphasizes intra-commonwealth trade, supports African exports, and advocates for a united representation at the United Nations to secure permanent African representation on the Security Council.
Tinubu thanked the outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her dedicated service, wishing her well in future endeavours.
Botchwey was appointed foreign minister by Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo on 10 January 2017. She was a Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom from 2013 to 2021 and had served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and a Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing under President John Kufuor.
She was a member of the New Patriotic Party.
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