The Ghana High Commission to the United Kingdom and Ireland has warmly received the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, during a courtesy visit on Monday, January 27, 2026. The meeting with H.E. Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, Head of Mission, highlighted Ghana’s strong ties with the Commonwealth and reinforced commitments to advancing shared goals across education, trade, governance, and diaspora engagement.
During the visit, Mrs. Benson commended Secretary-General Botchwey for her visionary leadership since assuming office on April 1, 2025, praising her efforts to strengthen the Commonwealth Secretariat’s role in promoting democracy, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation. The High Commissioner also lauded her open-door style, which has fostered collaboration with member states and promoted greater inclusivity across the Commonwealth.
In her remarks, Secretary-General Botchwey reaffirmed her dedication to advancing the Commonwealth agenda, prioritising youth empowerment, climate resilience, democratic governance, and economic cooperation. She highlighted initiatives aimed at building stronger connections between member countries and supporting vulnerable and small states in addressing global challenges.
The High Commission reflected on its accomplishments under Mrs. Benson’s stewardship, noting the strengthening of diaspora relations and outreach initiatives in the UK and Ireland. Last year, the Commission engaged Ghanaian PhD scholars to discuss scholarship obligations, received delegations such as the Gonjaland Union and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations UK, and conducted community-focused programs including the country’s first Christmas carols event in partnership with the Church of Pentecost.
Mrs. Benson also highlighted the Commission’s progress in delivering digital services to Ghanaians abroad, including 241 successful Ghana Card applications and the resumption of mobile passport services in Manchester and Dublin, with plans to extend operations to Birmingham in the first quarter of 2026.
Secretary-General Botchwey’s leadership draws on over 20 years of experience in diplomacy, international relations, and governance, including her tenure as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, where she strengthened Ghana’s global presence and chaired several international fora, including the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Ghana’s term on the UN Security Council.
Looking ahead, the Commonwealth under Botchwey’s leadership intends to deepen strategic partnerships, enhance socio-economic development, strengthen democratic institutions, and address climate vulnerabilities, particularly for small island and developing states. Her visit to the High Commission underscored her commitment to fostering closer collaboration with Ghana and its diaspora communities in the UK and Ireland.
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