Commonwealth leaders convened in Samoa on the final day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Saturday and announced Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the incoming Commonwealth Secretary-General.
This pivotal decision marks another milestone for women in leadership as Botchwey steps into a role currently held by Patricia Scotland, the first woman to serve as Secretary-General since her election in 2016.
Scotland expressed her heartfelt congratulations to Botchwey through her official social media channels, stating, “It is my honour to pass the baton to my dear sister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who will succeed me as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. She will be uniquely blessed, as I have been, to hold this office and serve our precious Commonwealth.”
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey currently serves as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, responded with gratitude.
“I’m honoured and humbled by the trust of Commonwealth leaders,” she stated. “A lot of work lies ahead. But together, we shall work for a New Commonwealth that works for all its citizens. The work indeed lies ahead.”
The 61-year-old Ghanaian politician was first appointed as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in 2017.
She previously represented the Anyaa-Sowutuom constituency in Parliament from 2013 to 2021.
Botchwey has also held the position of deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and served as a Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing under former President John Kufuor. She is affiliated with the New Patriotic Party.
Meanwhile, Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has hinted at a growing demand for Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa to take on an international role as curtains fell on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Leaders from across the globe expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Government and the people of Samoa for hosting what they termed a “remarkable and truly historic” event.
Thousands travelled great distances to be part of this significant gathering.
Following a productive session on Saturday at the Leaders’ Retreat held at the Sheraton Hotel in Mulifanua, leaders took to the media to commend Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa and her government for their exemplary organisation and hospitality.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan emphasised the success of the meeting, stating, “Congratulations Prime Minister Naomi. I know it’s not easy to organise such a big gathering for heads of government and leaders from all around the world, so we want to congratulate you and your people for this successful yet fruitful meeting.”
Echoing these sentiments, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ian Borg, who also chaired the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), praised Samoa’s efforts as the first Pacific Island nation to host such a high-level meeting. “I’m sure we all agree that it has been a unique and truly memorable experience for all of us,” he remarked, expressing his inspiration from the impressive contributions made by young people he encountered earlier in the week.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Jean Nduhungirehe, also extended his thanks to Prime Minister Mataʻafa, highlighting the genuine warmth of Samoan hospitality. “When I say warm hospitality, it’s because politness is not a formula that we use in international conferences. But that’s the reality all of us, the 55 countries, have found in this beautiful island of Samoa…we have seen that each country has been adopted by every village in Samoa, which was a way of raising awareness here in this country about our Commonwealth family.”
Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland added her voice to the chorus of appreciation, noting the collective effort of the Samoan people in hosting CHOGM.
“The way in which all our member states have been welcomed into the heart of the Samoan people has been absolutely extraordinary,” she stated, humorously pondering how many delegates might feel inclined to stay.
She emphasised the historic nature of this meeting, given the pressing reality of climate change facing member states.
Scotland articulated the significance of experiencing Samoa’s beauty and its vulnerabilities firsthand, stating, “The threat of climate change is no longer distant. It is existential, and it is here… It is easy to talk about someone else’s reality. It is an entirely different experience to walk in their shoes.”
She expressed pride in the achievements of this CHOGM, acknowledging Mata’afa’s skilled leadership throughout the proceedings.
“It was steered by one of the most skilful, the most generous Chairs we have ever had.
“I also wondered, and I’m saying this to the people of Samoa, how are you going to keep your Prime Minister safe?
“Hold on to her! Because everybody wants to steal her. So I would watch out. I would check their luggage while they leave because you might find she’s been secreted in someone’s trunk.
“She has managed this job with style, generosity, kindness and love. Thank you, Samoa for such a remarkable experience for us all,” she said.
… PACNEWS
