Shirley Botchwey of Ghana now Commonwealth Secretary-General
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has been elected as the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, the capital of the Pacific Island nation of Samoa, becoming the first African woman in that position.
Madam Botchwey was nominated by Ghana’s president, Akufo-Addo for the position after the Commonwealth agreed that an African would be the next Secretary-General. She went on to travel to Commonwealth member states around the world, presenting her goals and vision for the Commonwealth.
Two African diplomats, Joshua Phoho Setipa, a former Lesotho trade minister, and Mamadou Tangara, the Gambia’s foreign affairs minister, were her contenders, but she had stronger support throughout the Commonwealth, and the African Union endorsed her.
“I have strong confidence in Foreign Minister Botchwey to lead our aspiration for renewal and for building resilient and thriving economies through community cooperation, as emphasised at the 26th CHOGM in Kigali, Rwanda,” said President Akufo-Addo.
She takes over from Baroness Patricia Scotland, a dual citizen of Dominica and the United Kingdom, who would be ending her second and final term this year. “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,” she said.
The Commonwealth, led by King Charles III encourages democratic governance, trade, education, climate activism, and financial openness among its 56 sovereign and autonomous member states. It encompasses both developed and developing nations and extends across the world. Small states, many of them island nations, make up thirty-three of its members.
Madam Botchwey in her position as the Commonwealth Secretary-General will help member nations develop governance, advance justice and human rights, and create inclusive, democratic institutions. In addition to addressing risks like debt, inequality, and climate change, our work builds national resilience, empowers youth, and expands economies and commerce.
The diplomat, who has been in government for almost 20 years, has been a constant advocate for growth and has served as Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister since 2017. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which she founded to improve the working conditions and skill set of Ghanaian diplomats, is one of her well-known efforts that have boosted Ghana’s diplomatic services.
As a successful attorney, diplomat, politician, and communications specialist, Madam Botchwey contributes a wealth of knowledge in public service, diplomacy, and international relations. She is a member of the National Security Council of Ghana as well.
As Foreign Minister for seven years, she oversaw Ghana’s historic two-year stint on the UN Security Council, which ended in December 2023. Additionally, from 2020 to 2022, she presided over the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
She formerly worked as the Deputy Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2009 and as the Deputy Minister of Communications and Trade and Industry. She served on a number of parliamentary select committees during her four terms as a lawmaker from 2004 to 2020, including those for foreign affairs, appointments, defence and interior, communications, gender and children, and appointments.
From 2013 until 2017, she was also a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, where she held the positions of Vice-Chair of the African Peer Review Mechanism and NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) committees.
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
