Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana gets elected as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Ghana, has been elected as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (#CHOGM2024) in Apia, Samoa. She will succeed Patricia Scotland Baroness Scotland of the United Kingdom in this prestigious role.

Following her election, Baroness Scotland expressed her pleasure in passing on the position to Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, highlighting her background as a lawyer, diplomat, and politician. The competition for the Secretary-General position included two other African candidates, Senator Joshua Setipa from Lesotho and Dr. Mamadou Tangara from The Gambia.

Supported by both President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey's nomination aligned with the Commonwealth's decision to appoint an African candidate for the role. The theme of the meeting, "One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth," emphasized the importance of democratic institutions, human rights, democracy, and combating climate change, especially in small and island states.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey's nomination by President Akufo-Addo reflected his confidence in her ability to lead the Commonwealth towards sustainable economic growth and cooperation. Her vision for the role focused on leveraging the Commonwealth's potential to positively impact its diverse population and enhance its global significance.

Throughout her diplomatic career, Botchwey has led significant efforts, such as advocating for UN funding for Africa-led peace support operations and contributing to regional stability within the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. Her dedication to diplomacy and international relations underscores her commitment to realizing the Commonwealth's potential and serving its 2.68 billion citizens effectively.