Two distinguished Ghanaian female diplomats, H.E. Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Rt. Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, were honoured at a special gala reception held in London on Saturday, 31 January 2026.
The prestigious event was organised by the National Congress of Ghanaian Unions, in collaboration with Ten Talents Global and Access Media, to celebrate the exceptional leadership, service, and international impact of the two trailblazers.
The gala attracted an eminent gathering of personalities, including the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, queens, members of the diplomatic corps, UK politicians, traditional leaders, distinguished dignitaries, members of the Ghanaian community in the UK, as well as officials from the Ghana High Commission and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The evening was marked by rich cultural displays and moments of reflection, as both honourees were recognised and presented with awards for their outstanding contributions to diplomacy, politics, community service, Ghana’s national development, and international cooperation.
Addressing guests, H.E. Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson described the occasion as deeply symbolic, highlighting themes of unity, heritage, and purposeful leadership. She emphasised the critical role of the Ghanaian diaspora in upholding Ghana’s values abroad and contributing meaningfully to national progress. According to her, true leadership is measured not by title or position, but by service to people, shared identity, and collective aspirations.
In her remarks, Rt. Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey congratulated H.E. Mrs. Benson on her recent successful presentation of credentials to His Majesty King Charles III. She reflected on the origins of the Commonwealth, noting that its establishment was inspired by the visionary leadership of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Speaking proudly of her Ga heritage, Hon. Botchwey shared how her cultural roots have shaped her assertiveness, resilience, and lifelong commitment to public service. She expressed gratitude to the organisers for the recognition and honour accorded to both leaders.
The gala event served not only as a celebration of two remarkable women but also as a testament to Ghana’s growing influence in global diplomacy and leadership.
