Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Foreign Minister and candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General, recently completed a three-day series of meetings in Tonga, where she engaged with leaders of the Pacific Islands and delivered an address at a plenary session.
During her engagements, Botchwey outlined her vision for “a new Commonwealth that works for its citizens,” focusing on critical areas such as climate change, education and skills for young people, trade and investment, and enhancing democracy to achieve socio-economic benefits.
These discussions occurred alongside the 53rd Pacific Islands Leaders Forum. During the forum, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the island in multiple waves while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was addressing students on the topic of natural disasters. This event underscored the urgent need for the Commonwealth to address climate change, particularly its impact on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable coastal nations.
Reflecting on the earthquake, Botchwey emphasized the vulnerability of such regions: “If anyone needed reminding of the vulnerability and fragility of the Pacific Islands and indeed other small developing island and coastal states elsewhere on the planet, we got a shocking reminder today.” She reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for SIDS and other vulnerable members of the Commonwealth, stating, “I’ll continue to be an advocate of SIDS, and Small and Coastal States, and indeed all vulnerable members of our Commonwealth.”
Accompanied by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Botchwey met with several key figures, including Tonga’s Crown Prince, HRH Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, and Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni. She also engaged in talks with Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa of Samoa, who will host the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October, where a new Secretary-General will be selected to succeed the current head, Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Other notable meetings included discussions with Prime Ministers Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji, James Marape of Papua New Guinea, Feleti Teo of Tuvalu, Charlot Salwai of Vanuatu, and Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands. Botchwey also held talks with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Nauru’s Foreign Minister Lionel Angimea.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to attend the upcoming CHOGM, where Botchwey’s candidacy for the Commonwealth Secretary-General position will be considered.
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