Antigua and Barbuda is the second CARICOM country to publicly endorse
Ghana’s nominee for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth
grouping when the elections are held in October this year.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal
countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. It is home to one-
third of the world’s population and includes both advanced economies and
developing countries.
Earlier this month Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
launched a bid to replace the Dominican-born Dame Patricia Scotland, who served
two terms at the head of the London-based Commonwealth grouping.
So far, no other contender has emerged for the top post ahead of the scheduled
October 22 election.
Grenada earlier this month said it would endorse Botchwey after President Nana
Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana addressed a joint sitting of the Grenada
Parliament.
Now, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who held talks with
Botchwe on the margins of the 46th regular meeting of CARICOM leaders, has
signaled that Antigua and Barbuda will follow suit.
A government statement said that during their discussions, Botchwey said that she
would reposition the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat with priority given
to areas such as trade and investment; climate change; youth, education, skills,
innovation and start-ups; mobility and labour markets; and the plight of Small
Island Developing States (SIDS).
In his response, Browne outlined his administration’s support for Botchwey as he
commented on the historical ties between Antigua and Barbuda, and Ghana which
have also resulted in harmonious diplomatic relations between both countries.
“He also committed to strengthening relations between Ghana, and Antigua and
Barbuda through more people to people exchanges through increased air linkages
between the African continent and the Caribbean region, which the government
has been committed to.
“Further, Prime Minister Browne used the occasion to extend an invitation to the
Honourable Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana to the
upcoming 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States which
will be held from 27-30 May, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda,” the statement added.
