On April 1 2025, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, from Ghana, assumed office as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. With this, she has become the first woman from Africa to hold this office. Also, she is the second woman to take on the position.
- She succeeds Baroness Patricia Janet Scotland of Dominica who was appointed as the 6th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations in November 2015, becoming the first woman to hold this position.
- She was appointed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government during their biennial meeting in Apia, Samoa, in 2024.
About Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey:
i.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is a prominent Ghanaian politician and diplomat.
ii.Her political journey began in 2000 when she became involved with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). She was elected to the Parliament of Ghana in 2005, representing the Anyaa-Sowutuom constituency in the Greater Accra Region.
iii.She served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from January 2017 to January 2024 and was a member of the National Security Council of Ghana.
- She also played a key role in securing UN Resolution 2634, which addresses piracy and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
- Additionally, she was instrumental in shaping Ghana’s prominent “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” initiatives, strengthening cultural and economic ties with the global African diaspora.
About The Commonwealth Secretary-General:
The Secretary-General is nominated by Commonwealth leaders and can serve up to two terms, each lasting four years.
- The role involves promoting and protecting the Commonwealth’s values, representing the Commonwealth in public, and overseeing the management of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Note: Kamalesh Sharma from India was appointed as the 5th Commonwealth Secretary-General by the Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Kampala, Uganda, in November 2007.
About The Commonwealth (Commonwealth of Nations):
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries.
Head – Charles III
Headquarters – London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Founded – 1931
