Ghana’s Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has been chosen as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) in Apia, Samoa. Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, will succeed Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of the United Kingdom.
Following the announcement, Baroness Scotland shared on X (formerly Twitter), “It is my honour to pass the baton to my dear sister, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who will succeed me as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.”
Botchwey emerged as the preferred candidate after competing with Senator Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and Dr. Mamadou Tangara of The Gambia. Her nomination strongly backed Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and former President John Mahama, reflecting a Commonwealth consensus for an African leader to take on the role.
A Vision for the Commonwealth
In her bid, Botchwey highlighted her commitment to the Commonwealth’s potential, describing the organization as “the most consequential body after the UN.” She expressed a vision for harnessing the collective power of the Commonwealth’s 2.68 billion citizens for shared growth and resilience.
“I care deeply about the Commonwealth and its diverse people,” she said, emphasizing her determination to make a meaningful impact.
Diplomatic Legacy and Priorities
Botchwey brings extensive diplomatic experience, having recently served as a key figure in Ghana’s tenure on the UN Security Council (2021-23), where she led efforts to secure funding for African-led peace operations through Resolution 27/19. As Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, she also played a critical role in regional stability initiatives, including preventive actions against military coups.
Her priorities for the Commonwealth include fortifying democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and addressing climate challenges, especially those affecting small and island states—key themes at CHOGM 2024, held under the banner “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming Our Common Wealth.”
The meeting was also notable as the first CHOGM to be presided over by King Charles III since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
Backing from African Leaders
Botchwey’s nomination reflected an understanding among Commonwealth leaders that Africa would provide the next Secretary-General. President Akufo-Addo stated his confidence in Botchwey’s ability to “lead our aspiration for renewal,” aligning with the Commonwealth’s agenda of cooperation and resilience-building, first outlined in Kigali, Rwanda, during the 26th CHOGM.
In her acceptance, Botchwey acknowledged the Commonwealth’s untapped potential and her commitment to the organization’s future. As the first Ghanaian and African woman to hold this office, she looks forward to driving forward her vision and the shared goals of Commonwealth states in an evolving global landscape.
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