President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on her election as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
In a statement released on Saturday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasized that Botchwey’s extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs, and regional development makes her an ideal candidate for the position.
The President expressed confidence that Botchwey’s leadership experience would bring renewed energy to the Commonwealth’s initiatives aimed at fostering meaningful economic and political partnerships, thereby enhancing the bloc’s influence in global affairs.
He looks forward to collaborating with the incoming Secretary-General to advance the Commonwealth’s vision of promoting peace, equity, and prosperity for all member nations.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to championing a Commonwealth that emphasizes strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade, supporting African exports, and advocating for a unified presence at the United Nations to bolster Africa’s bid for permanent representation on the Security Council.
He also extended his gratitude to the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her years of leadership and wished her well in her future endeavors.
Recall that on Friday, leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations gathered in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey as the 7th Secretary-General.
The 61-year-old former lawmaker has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for the past seven years and will assume office on April 1, 2025. Botchwey is only the second African to hold the position in the Commonwealth’s 75-year history, following Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000. She had the backing of Nigeria for this prestigious role.
