Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey Assumes Commonwealth Secretary-General Role

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, has officially assumed the role of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. She steps into the position at a pivotal moment, pledging to uphold and promote the principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter amid rising global tensions and evolving international alliances.

Her appointment marks a historic milestone—she is the first African woman and only the second African ever to lead the 56-nation bloc, which represents over one-third of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the United Nations member states.

Botchwey takes over from Patricia Scotland, who completed her nine-year tenure in March 2025.

At the official ceremony held on April 1, 2025, at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London, Secretary-General Botchwey acknowledged the complex issues facing the global community and emphasized the strength that unity within the Commonwealth brings in turbulent times.

“The challenges before us are both real and pressing,” she stated. “But united, we are more than capable of overcoming them.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to the shared values of the Commonwealth—democracy, good governance, peace, human rights, and equal opportunity—and expressed confidence that these ideals would guide the organization toward a more just and prosperous future.

“With the values that hold us together,” Botchwey said, “we will work to ensure that dignity, opportunity, and prosperity are within reach for every citizen across our Commonwealth family.”