Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey experienced the warmth and heritage of Antigua and Barbuda during an official visit last week, as the country prepares to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2026.

Her visit began with a cultural showcase at Sandals Resort, where performances by the Antigua Dance Academy featured traditional drumming and dance. Botchwey said the rhythms reminded her of Ghana, calling the performance “heartfelt and unforgettable.”

She later toured the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—accompanied by officials from the National Parks Authority. The tour included visits to Clarence House, Shirley Heights Lookout and the Dockyard Museum, followed by a traditional Antiguan lunch at the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel.

The National Parks Authority said the visit highlighted the nation’s growing international profile.

Botchwey’s stopover, though brief, reflected Antigua and Barbuda’s mix of cultural pride, historical preservation and ambition as it prepares to welcome Commonwealth leaders in 2026.