The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has officially announced her candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
This declaration was made public through a press release issued by the Ministry on February 2, 2024.
President Nana Add Dankwa Akufo-Addo nominated Minister Botchwey, citing an agreement among Commonwealth members that the next Secretary-General would be selected from Africa.
The election for the new Secretary-General of the 56-member organization is scheduled for October 22, 2024, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
“On an understanding among members of the Commonwealth that its next Secretary-General would come from Africa.”
“A new Secretary-General of the 56-member organization will be elected on 22nd October 2024 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa to replace Baroness Patricia Scotland, a dual Dominican-British citizen, whose second and final tenure expires at the end of 2024.”
“I have strong confidence in Foreign Minister Botchwey to lead our aspiration for renewal and for building future-looking resilient and thriving economies, through community cooperation and action, as underscored at Kigali in Rwanda, during the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).”
This election aims to replace Baroness Patricia Scotland, a dual Dominican-British citizen, whose second and final term concludes at the end of 2024.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his confidence in Foreign Minister Botchwey’s ability to lead the Commonwealth towards renewal and the development of resilient and thriving economies, referencing the commitment made at the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Minister Botchwey is optimistic about her candidacy, having received endorsements from the African Union and substantial support from across all regions of the Commonwealth.
