The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has declared her intent to contest for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

In a statement released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, it was noted that following an agreement within the Commonwealth that the next Secretary-General would hail from Africa, President Nana Akufo-Addo nominated Madam Botchwey as Ghana’s candidate.

The election for the new Secretary-General of the 56-member organisation is set for October 22, 2024, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, to succeed Baroness Patricia Scotland, a dual Dominican-British citizen, whose second and final term concludes at the end of 2024.

In nominating her, President Akufo-Addo expressed his confidence in Foreign Minister Botchwey's ability to lead Ghana's aspirations for renewal and the development of resilient and thriving economies through community cooperation and action, as highlighted during the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Following the announcement Ms Botchwey met the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on 2nd February, 2024

She shared her vision for the Commonwealth by enumerating six areas as her key areas for repositioning the Commonwealth for the benefit of the family.

She sought the support of the Committee in her current endeavour to project Ghana positively in the comity of nations.

The Committee unanimously pledged their unflinching support for Ghana’s candidate for the next Secretary-General position as they believe it will boost Africa’s standing in the comity of nations. The committee added that her wealth of experience and sterling performance in world affairs makes her apt for the position and therefore firmly confirm their endorsement for her candidacy.