H.E. MRS. SABAH ZITA BENSON, HIGH COMMISSIONER OF GHANA TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND, PAYS A COURTESY CALL ON THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, HON. SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY

The High Commissioner of Ghana to the United Kingdom and Ireland, H.E. Mrs Sabah Zita Benson, paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at Marlborough House, London, on Monday, 13th October 2025.

The meeting was a historic one, as the two distinguished daughters of Ghana both recalled the visionary role of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s founding President, in proposing in 1964, the establishment of a permanent Commonwealth Secretariat that would help the organisation become “more in tune with the common aspirations of its members.”

H.E. Zita Benson congratulated Hon. Shirley Botchwey on her selection as the 7th Secretary General of the Commonwealth and the first African woman to head the Secretariat. Hon. Botchwey, on her part, extended felicitations to H.E. Zita Benson on her appointment as the first female High Commissioner of Ghana to the United Kingdom since the establishment of the London Mission in 1957.

High Commissioner Benson commended the Secretary-General for the consultative approach adopted in developing a new Strategic Plan for the Commonwealth Secretariat and assured her of Ghana’s endorsement of the outlined priorities and reform agenda for a more responsive and results-oriented Secretariat.

Acknowledging the important technical support Ghana has benefited from the Commonwealth Secretariat over the years in the areas of peacebuilding, election observation, cybersecurity and youth development, among others, the High Commissioner indicated Ghana’s intention to strengthen the collaboration and reiterated Ghana’s continued commitment to the values of the Commonwealth and support of the Secretary General’s vision for an organisation defined by common purpose and unity.

On her part, Secretary General Botchwey expressed her sincere appreciation to the Government of Ghana for the unflinching support and highlighted the Secretariat’s roadmap towards building resilient societies, strong institutions, creating opportunities for the youth, persons with disabilities and women; mitigating climate change, and promoting intra Commonwealth trade & investment, for the mutual benefit of member countries.