President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on her election as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Edum news reports that leaders from 56 Commonwealth nations meeting in Apia, Samoa, on Friday, elected Botchwey, a respected 61-year-old former lawmaker as the 7th Secretary-General of the international body.
Botchwey, who has held her position as Ghana’s foreign minister for the past seven years, will officially assume her new role on April 1, 2025.
She is the second African to hold the position of secretary-general of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that position from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Botchwey’s capability to bring renewed vigour to the Commonwealth’s mission.
He emphasized on her potential to foster impactful economic and political partnerships that would advance the interests of all member states.
Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to supporting the Commonwealth’s strategic goals.
The President also said he believes that Botchwey’s extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs and regional development makes her a perfect fit for the job
According to him, Nigeria support will come particularly in enhancing intra-Commonwealth trade, boosting African exports, and securing a unified Commonwealth position at the United Nations in support of Africa’s bid for permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
The President also thanked the outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her distinguished service, wishing her success in future endeavors.
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
