The former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has assumed office as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, with a promise to approach her new role with humility.

Taking to her X page, she wrote, "I take on this role with deep humility and belief in what we can achieve together. With the support of the Commonwealth Sec team, I will work every day to repay the trust which has been placed in me."

The former foreign minister succeeds Patricia Scotland, whose nine-year term ended in March 2025.

Ayorkor Botchwey, the first African women to hold this position, was appointed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their biennial meeting in Apia, Samoa, in 2024.

She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in diplomacy, international relations, governance, and public service to her new role.

Here is a brief profile of Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

Ayorkor Botchwey served as Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from January 2017 to January 2024 and was a member of Ghana’s National Security Council.

Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Information, and Trade and Industry, during the tenure of former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration (2001–2009).

From 2005 to 2021, she was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Weija and later Anyaa-Sowutuom constituencies, representing for four consecutive terms.

Prior to entering politics, she led a successful marketing and communications firm and served as a consultant in the tourism sector.

Read her post below:

Today, I assume office as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

I take on this role with deep humility and belief in what we can achieve together.

With the support of the @CommonwealthSec team, I will work every day to repay the trust which has been placed in me. pic.twitter.com/CxE9gtxkPd

— Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (@SGCommonwealth) April 1, 2025