Ghana’s Foreign Minister and candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has wrapped up a three-day visit to Tonga, where she met with leaders of the Pacific Islands and addressed a plenary session at the 53rd Pacific Islands Leaders Forum.

During her address, Ms Botchwey presented her vision for a “new Commonwealth” that prioritises climate change, youth education, trade, and investment, and promotes democratic governance that delivers socio-economic benefits.

Highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal countries, Ms Botchwey’s meetings coincided with a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that shook the island during a speech by UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutierrez on natural disasters.

“If anyone needed reminding of the vulnerability and fragility of the Pacific Islands and indeed other small developing island and coastal states elsewhere on the planet, we got a shocking reminder today,” Botchwey remarked.

“I’ll continue to be an advocate of SIDS, and Small and Coastal States, and indeed all vulnerable members of our Commonwealth.”

Ms Botchwey’s agenda included bilateral discussions with several Pacific leaders, such as the Crown Prince of Tonga, Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, and Prime Minister Siaosi ’Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni.

She also met with Prime Ministers Naomi Mata’afa of Samoa, Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji, James Marape of Papua New Guinea, Feleti Teo of Tuvalu, Charlot Salwai of Vanuatu, and Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands.

Additionally, she engaged with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Nauru’s Foreign Minister, Lionel Angimea.

Accompanied by Dr Mohamed ibn Chambas, former UN Under-Secretary-General, Ms Botchwey underscored her commitment to climate action and support for SIDS and small coastal states, while also preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this October, where a new Secretary-General will be chosen to succeed Baroness Patricia Scotland.

President Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to attend the CHOGM, underscoring Ghana’s support for Ms Botchwey’s candidacy.