Newly elected Secretary- General of Commonwealth, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has expressed her deepest appreciation to President Akufo- Addo for his support during her journey to become the Commonwealth Secretary- General.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey was announced as the new Secretary- General of the Commonwealth at its 27th Head of Government meeting in Apia, Samoa.
Speaking at a ceremony held in her honour Madam Ayorkor Botchwey expressed her commitment in strongly promoting the values and objectives of the Commonwealth community.
“I look forward to working my heart out to make the Commonwealth relevant to its people and to build on the work done with the amazing staff of the secretariat and their partners, which makes it possible for the Commonwealth to open new chapters in our shared journey towards deepening democracy, peace and economic progress.”
According to her, she is optimistic about bringing innovative ideas and solutions to channel development.
“My vision is to build on these strengths, promoting trade and ensuring education, skill development and innovation for the teeming youth across the commonwealth, I will provide leadership to work with member states in collaboration with other multilateral institution towards addressing climate change”.
“On Saturday, when heads of states at [27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] CHOGM elected me, I accepted my election with a deep sense of humility and honour. The election makes me the second successive woman but first woman from Africa to the Office of Secretary-General after Patricia Scotland, the current officeholder whose term will come to an end in March, she added.
She succeeds Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of the United Kingdom.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey was elected on Saturday October 26.