ACCRA: President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo called on Ghanaians to support Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Commonwealth Secretary-General-elect, as she takes on her new role in the international English-speaking bloc. He expressed confidence in her ability to lead the Commonwealth towards sustainable growth during a media address at Kotoka International Airport, following their return from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM2024). According to Ghana News Agency, Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, received overwhelming support from global leaders during her election as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. Her candidacy, which was backed by Ghanaian leaders, including President Akufo-Addo and former President John Mahama, was favored over competitors from Lesotho and the Gambia. The welcoming ceremony held at the airport saw a cross-section of the public waving Ghanaian flags in support of the dignitaries. The President highlighted the signif icance of Ms. Botchwey's new role, noting that her selection was a unanimous choice that underscored the Commonwealth's preference for African leadership. He emphasized the honor it brings to Africa and reaffirmed the government's support for her mission. Ms. Botchwey, known for her advocacy for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, succeeds Baroness Patricia Scotland of the United Kingdom in December. Ms. Botchwey's campaign focused on a vision for the Commonwealth's future, aiming to harness the collective strength of its 2.7 billion citizens for shared progress. In her message, she expressed gratitude to Ghanaians and the Commonwealth for their trust and looked forward to working with member States to build a stronger, more resilient bloc. The Commonwealth, a 56-nation group headed by Britain's King Charles, recently held its meeting in Samoa, addressing issues like slavery and climate change. The Commonwealth Charter commits to developing free societies and promoting peace and prosperity among its members.