Antigua and Barbuda has thrown its support behind Ghana’s candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth when the post becomes vacant in October of this year.
On the margins of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held in Guyana, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda held discussions with Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana on her candidacy for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
In her dialogue with Prime Minister Browne, Minister Botchwey declared that she would reposition the 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).
The Prime Minister in his response stated Antigua and Barbuda’s support for the candidacy of Ghana to the post of Secretary General. Prime Minister Browne further 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, and through increased air linkages between the African continent and the Caribbean Region.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is the only candidate that has expressed an interest in gaining the top role in the Commonwealth, which has scheduled an election for October 22. A Commonwealth Secretary-General can serve a maximum of two terms of four years each. The incumbent is Baroness Patricia Scotland of Dominica, whose tenure ends in October.
Prime Minister Browne also used the occasion to extend an invitation to 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 May 27 to 30 in Antigua and Barbuda.
Other areas of discussion included the establishment of visa-free waivers; double taxation agreement; and the strengthening of cultural ties through the Orange Economy.
