Ayorkor Botchwey Pledges Commonwealth Support for Ghana Amid Catastrophic Floods
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has expressed profound sorrow over the devastating floods that wreaked havoc across West Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and neighbouring countries.
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 1, she extended her heartfelt condolences to all affected members of the Commonwealth family in the region. “My heart goes out to our Commonwealth family in the region, especially those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in this tragedy,” Botchwey stated.
Her message comes as torrential rainfall continues to submerge communities, with at least 13 people confirmed dead in Ghana’s capital, Accra, and dozens more across the region.
Authorities are battling rising waters as residents recount harrowing experiences of homes being inundated and commercial activities grinding to a halt.
Acknowledging the scale of the crisis, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s solidarity and emphasized the need to look beyond immediate disaster response. “The Commonwealth stands in full solidarity with affected communities. Beyond the immediate response, we must work together on lasting solutions,” she said.
Increased investment
The Secretary-General called for increased investment in climate mitigation and adaptation to protect vulnerable populations. She stressed the importance of strengthening early warning systems for floods and extreme weather to save lives and bolster resilience against more frequent environmental shocks.
Her call aligns with experts who have linked the worsening floods to climate change and inadequate infrastructure, warning that Africa remains among the continents most vulnerable to extreme weather events.
