Ayorkor Botchwey vows to promote Commonwealth values

Accra, Ghana - October 28, 2024 - Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, pledged to dedicate herself to promoting the organization's values and objectives.

Addressing a crowd at Kotoka International Airport on Monday, Ayorkor Botchwey expressed pride and humility in her historic appointment as the first African woman to lead the Commonwealth Secretariat.

“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

“I look forward to working my heart out to make the Commonwealth relevant to its people and to build on the work she has 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.”

Elected during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa, Ayorkor Botchwey succeeds Patricia Scotland, whose term ends in March 2025.

Source: Florencce Kyei / Lead News Online