Newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Sirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has stated that she remains committed to advancing the organisation’s goals, vowing to devote herself fully to promoting the values and objectives of the Commonwealth community.
The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Ghana made the declaration while addressing a crowd that was gathered at the Kotoka International Airport on Monday, October 28, 2024, to welcome her back into the country.
She described her election as both a profound honour and a humbling experience.
“On Saturday, when heads of state 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.”
Madam Botchwey was elected during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024), held in Apia, Samoa, on Friday, October 25.
She will succeed Patricia Scotland, who has served as Secretary-General since 2016 and will complete her term in March 2025.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana