GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Antigua and Barbuda has become the second Caribbean Community (Caricom) coun
try 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 then 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 Grenada’s Parliament.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne held talks with Botchwe on the margins of the 46th regular meeting of Caricom leaders now underway here.

A Government statement said that during their discussions Botchwey said she would reposition the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat, with priority given to areas such as trade and investment; climate change; youth; education and 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.