International Diplomatic Consultant, Farouk Al-Wahab, has expressed his keen interest in how newly appointed Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, will approach her role, especially in representing Africa’s interests.
He emphasized that the entire African continent is equally interested in her positioning on key issues.
Speaking to Nana Yaa Brefo on Onua FM, Al-Wahab stressed that he hopes for a tangible impact in her tenure rather than the continuation of what he described as a “norm of signing declarations.”
“The Secretary-Generalship is rotational, so after your tenure, someone else takes over,” he said.
“Patricia Scotland completed her term and handed over to Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. But let’s ask ourselves, what was Patricia able to accomplish beyond signing declarations?”
Al-Wahab called for a focus on Botchwey’s ability to deliver meaningful change, urging attention to her diplomatic prowess and vision for Africa.
“Now let’s see how Naa Shirley Ayorkor will perform in terms of role, speed, and know-how, and her diplomatic push that she brings to the Commonwealth and how she positions Africa,” he added.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, was chosen as the new Commonwealth Secretary-General at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) in Apia, Samoa.
She will succeed Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of the United Kingdom.
Baroness Scotland, reflecting on the transition, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), “It is my honour to pass the baton to my dear sister, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who will succeed me as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.”
Botchwey’s nomination, strongly backed by both current Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and former President John Mahama, highlighted a consensus within the Commonwealth for an African leader to take on the role.
Her selection came after a competitive process that saw her stand out among Senator Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and Dr. Mamadou Tangara of The Gambia.