Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, made a significant diplomatic stride at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, engaging in a series of pivotal discussions aimed at fostering deeper ties between Ghana and the Caribbean nations. As a special invitee to this esteemed gathering, her presence underscored the growing importance of strengthening relations between Africa and the Caribbean, regions bound by a shared history and mutual developmental aspirations.
During her time at the summit, Botchwey engaged in private discussions with several key leaders from the Caribbean, including the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrence Drew; the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Dickon Mitchell; the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne; and the Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit. Representing Trinidad and Tobago, Foreign Minister Dr Amery Browne conveyed messages from Prime Minister Keith Rowley, further amplifying the collaborative spirit of the summit.
Botchwey’s participation extended to a confidential address to the CARICOM Council of Ministers, where she shared insights and proposed initiatives aimed at bolstering the partnership between Ghana and the Caribbean. The summit also provided a platform for informal engagements, as Botchwey interacted with prominent figures like President Alfaan Ali of Guyana, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, and Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Bahamas, among other distinguished guests from the political, diplomatic, and business spheres of the Caribbean.
The discussions revolved significantly around the success of Ghana’s “Year of Return” in 2019 and its subsequent “Beyond the Return” initiative. These policies, introduced under President Akufo-Addo’s administration, were pivotal in marking 400 years since the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the Americas. By inviting descendants of Africans to visit and invest in Ghana, these initiatives aimed to bridge the historical divide and foster a renewed sense of unity and economic cooperation between Africa and its diaspora, particularly those in the Caribbean.
Botchwey highlighted the profound impact of these initiatives in reigniting interest amongst Caribbean nations towards Ghana and, by extension, Africa. She underscored the potential economic and societal benefits of establishing a direct air link between Ghana and the Caribbean, envisioning it as a catalyst for increased travel, commerce, and cultural exchange between the two regions.
In her diplomatic engagements, Botchwey met with other foreign ministers, including Alva Baptiste of St. Lucia and Dr. Francis Fonseca of Belize, as well as Jerusa Ali, the Director-General of the Foreign Ministry of the Bahamas. These meetings emphasized the mutual desire to overcome the political and economic divides that have historically separated Africa and the Caribbean.
In a significant move towards institutionalizing the relationship between Africa and the Caribbean, the African Union has recognized the Caribbean as the “sixth region” of Africa. This symbolic gesture highlights the Caribbean’s integral role in the African diaspora and sets the stage for enhanced collaboration across various domains, including economic development, cultural exchange, and political cooperation.
Botchwey, a seasoned lawyer and former legislator with experience in both the Ghanaian and West African (ECOWAS) parliaments, is also Ghana’s candidate for the prestigious position of Commonwealth Secretary-General. The upcoming election for this role, set to occur in October, presents an opportunity for leadership rotation within the Commonwealth, a consortium of 56 member states comprising 2.6 billion people and generating an annual economic output exceeding US$13 trillion. With the current Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland’s term coming to an end, the Commonwealth anticipates its next phase of leadership to emerge from Africa, reflecting the organization’s diverse and dynamic membership.
Botchwey’s active participation in the Caricom Summit and her candidature for the Commonwealth Secretary-General position highlight Ghana’s proactive stance in engaging with the global community. These efforts not only aim to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relationships but also aspire to leverage Ghana’s historical and cultural ties with the Caribbean to advance common goals of prosperity, unity, and mutual respect.
Source: Graphic Online
