President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has celebrated Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey’s election as Commonwealth Secretary-General, recognising her as a trailblazer for African diplomacy.

Her historic appointment, which makes her the first African woman to lead the Commonwealth, was lauded at a welcoming ceremony in Accra after her return from the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

President Akufo-Addo praised her for elevating Ghana's international standing and committed the country’s support for her tenure.

“She has done a ‘yeoman’s’ job as foreign secretary, chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and several other important international assignments have been very well delivered by this young lady,” he stated.

He continued that: “Coming back here, I knew we would meet something like this, and I am very happy that all of you have come out in your numbers to meet her and congratulate her.”

Highlighting the Minister’s new role as a milestone for Ghanaian diplomacy, President Akufo-Addo called on Ghanaians to rally behind her leadership of the 56-nation Commonwealth: “Let us all stand united behind her and support her in this role. This is an opportunity for Ghana to impact the world stage significantly,” he affirmed.

Ms. Botchwey will assume her position officially on April 1, 2025, succeeding Patricia Scotland. Her election marks a pivotal moment for Ghana, placing her among the most influential Ghanaian diplomats since Kofi Annan’s tenure as UN Secretary-General.

President Akufo-Addo underscored the legacy Ms. Botchwey’s role upholds, saying: “She now flies the flag of Ghana on the global stage in a way which has not been done before since our late revered diplomat Kofi Annan.”