PRIME Minister Hon. James Marape has extended congratulations to Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her election as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Hon. Botchwey was unanimously elected on Saturday, October 26, 2024, during the final day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), succeeding Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland KC.
“Papua New Guinea warmly congratulates Secretary-General-elect Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. When she met with me at the recent Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, I pledged our nation’s support for her. We look forward to working with her, particularly on issues like climate change, which poses an existential threat to our Pacific region,” said Prime Minister Marape.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to outgoing Secretary-General Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland for her dedicated service and leadership. “We commend Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland for her commitment to the Commonwealth. Through her efforts, she has reinvigorated the organization, and we thank her for all she has accomplished,” he added.