President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has praised Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s recently elected Commonwealth Secretary-General, for enhancing Ghana’s reputation and standing abroad.
President Akufo-Addo commended her achievements and promised Ghana’s full support for her as she assumes this esteemed role during a ceremony to welcome her back from the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
“She has done a ‘yeoman’s’ job as foreign secretary, chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and several other important international assignments have been very well delivered by this young lady.
“So, coming back here, I knew we would meet something like this and I am very happy that all of you have come out in your numbers and met her and congratulated her.
“Let us all stand together behind her and push her to do a very good job for our country. She now flies the flag of Ghana on the global stage in a way which has not been done before since our late revered diplomate Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United States,” he stated.
The President called on Ghanaians to support her, stating, “Let us all stand united behind her and support her in this role. This is an opportunity for Ghana to impact the world stage significantly.”
A significant turning point in Ghana’s diplomatic influence was reached with the appointment of Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the first African woman to lead the Commonwealth. On April 1, 2025, she will formally take over as Patricia Scotland’s replacement.
