Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana's Foreign Minister, has garnered strong backing from the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean nations for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Speaking to Demerara Waves Online News, an official representing the Caribbean nations expressed their willingness to support Botchwey's candidacy. They highlighted their preference for her candidacy, noting concerns regarding the lack of consensus within Africa over potential candidates.
The election for the Secretary-General position, which will see the successor to incumbent Baroness Patricia Scotland, is slated to take place in October 2024 in Samoa, located in the central South Pacific Ocean.
Botchwey's campaign efforts have included lobbying efforts in Guyana, where she engaged with member nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that are also Commonwealth members. These efforts have instilled confidence in Botchwey regarding the region's support for her candidacy.
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, Gaston Brown, echoed this sentiment, expressing that while no formal vote was taken, there is a general consensus among CARICOM member states in favor of Botchwey's candidacy.
Botchwey outlined her vision for the Commonwealth, emphasizing priorities such as trade and investment. She proposed establishing a Free Trade Area to elevate the development levels of member states, citing the disparity in development among Commonwealth nations. Additionally, Botchwey stressed the importance of trade and Foreign Direct Investment over aid, highlighting her educational and professional background in support of her proposals.
Central to her agenda are improvements in transportation infrastructure and education to facilitate industrialization and value addition to raw products. Botchwey also underscored her commitment to addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy within the Commonwealth.
Acknowledging the accomplishments of the current Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, Botchwey commended her efforts in strengthening ties with member states and promoting democracy and peace. She emphasized the need to further enhance institutions such as the Commonwealth of Learning and the Commonwealth Foundation under her potential leadership.
As the momentum builds behind Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey's candidacy, the Commonwealth anticipates a robust and dynamic leadership transition, poised to address the diverse challenges facing member states in the coming years.