Botswana’s Mrs Masire-Mwamba appointed new Deputy Secretary-General

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma announced on 10 April 2008 that he had appointed Mrs Gabaipone Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, from Botswana, to the post of Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba will succeed Mrs Florence Mugasha of Uganda who will soon be leaving after six years in post.

Mr Sharma said: “I am truly delighted to be able to make this appointment. From an exceptional field of candidates from six countries, Mrs Masire-Mwamba offered a wealth of experience in a broad range of areas of our work. I am confident that the Commonwealth will benefit enormously from the significant contribution that Mrs Masire-Mwamba will make.”

He paid tribute to Mrs Mugasha, saying: “The Commonwealth has benefited greatly from Mrs Mugasha’s wisdom and leadership, and we wish her well in her future endeavours.”

Responding to the appointment, Mrs Masire-Mwamba said: “I am honoured to have been given this great opportunity and I look forward to working in the service of the Commonwealth.”

Mrs Masire-Mwamba will report to Mr Sharma on political affairs, legal and constitutional affairs and youth affairs, and she will also oversee the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Corporate Services Division, Human Resources Section and the Human Rights Unit.

She will work alongside Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith of Jamaica, in post since August 2006, who reports to Mr Sharma on economic affairs, and the Secretariat’s activities in governance and institutional development, social transformation, and special advisory services.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba has held a number of high level positions, including those of Chief Executive of Botswana’s Investment Promotion Agency (BEDIA); Group Manager of Corporate Business and Regulatory Affairs for the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation; and UK Business Development Manager for the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation.

She holds a BSc from the University of London, and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, USA.

Secretariat Links:

• Country Profile: Botswana