Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has expressed his support for the candidacy of Ghana's Foreign Minister, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General. President Chakwera conveyed his endorsement during a meeting with Madam Botchwey at the presidential palace in Lilongwe, where they discussed bilateral issues, including her candidacy.
President Chakwera commended Madam Botchwey's candidacy, stating, “Malawi welcomes your candidature. It shows President Akufo-Addo has confidence in your skill and competence.” Madam Botchwey's candidacy, formally announced last Friday in Ghana, has garnered bipartisan support within the country's parliament.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government will convene in October in Samoa to select a new Secretary-General to succeed Baroness Patricia Scotland, whose final term expires at the end of 2024. As agreed during the last meeting of Heads of Government in Kigali in 2022, the new Secretary-General will be from Africa. With 21 African member countries, the Commonwealth represents a significant economic force with an annual output exceeding US$13 trillion and a population exceeding 2.6 billion people.
Madam Botchwey outlined her vision for a “new Commonwealth,” emphasizing priorities such as trade and investment, leveraging ICT for skills and innovation to create jobs for young people, and addressing climate change. President Chakwera lauded her focus on trade, investments, and youth empowerment, expressing appreciation for her comprehensive approach.
Furthermore, in a gesture of goodwill, Malawi has granted visa-free entry to Ghanaians, reciprocating Ghana's commitment to facilitate travel between the two countries.