As reported on Monday October 28, the Commonwealth has appointed Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as the new Secretary-General on the closing day of the group’s Summit in Samoa.
Botchwey, a seasoned politician and diplomat, is only the second African and the second woman to hold this position in the organization that links Britain and its former colonies.
Following her appointment, Botchwey expressed her gratitude on social media, stating that she felt “truly humbled” by the selection and acknowledged that “the work indeed lies ahead”!
Known for her staunch advocacy of reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, her stance aligns with that of the two other candidates who competed for the role.
Botchwey will succeed Patricia Scotland, who has served as Secretary-General since 2016. Scotland, representing Dominica, first took office following the Commonwealth Heads of States & Government meeting in Malta in 2015.
Appointed Ghana’s Foreign minister in January 2017 by President Nana Akufo-Addo, Botchwey served as a Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom from 2013 to 2021, and previously held positions as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing under President John Kufuor.
Prior to her political career, she led her own marketing and communications firm and served in various Consulting roles, including managing director at Dynacom Limited and practitioner of Public administration with organizations like Worldspace Ghana and Glaxo Group Research.
Recently, she was called to the bar as a barrister and solicitor in Ghana in October 2023. Botchwey also held notable leadership positions, including Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. Her appointment came as the Commonwealth Summit highlighted calls for the UK to pay reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, and addressed urgent matters like the climate crisis.
The Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal States, represents 2.7 billion people, over 60 percent of whom are aged 29 or younger.
The organization focuses on fostering democracy, Justice, and human rights within its member nations, while its Secretariat works to enhance economic growth, trade, and resilience against challenges such as climate change, debt, and inequality.