Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana is elected Commonwealth Secretary-General, becoming the first African to hold the position.

Botchwey will succeed Baroness Patricia Scotland, the first woman to hold the role.

The election of Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey reflects a consensus within the Commonwealth for an African leader to take on this critical role.


Both former President John Mahama and Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo strongly supported her nomination, demonstrating Ghana's unity and influence behind her campaign.

In reference to the Commonwealth's continuous efforts to promote collaboration and resiliency among its member states, President Akufo-Addo voiced his optimism, saying that Botchwey would "lead our aspiration for renewal."

The Baroness Using social media, Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General since 2016, congratulated Botchwey. She wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "It is my honor to pass the baton to my dear sister, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who will succeed me as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General."

In her capacity as Secretary-General, Botchwey has a distinct perspective. Throughout her campaign, she emphasized her belief that the Commonwealth is "the most consequential body after the UN." Her objective is to use the 2.68 billion Commonwealth residents' combined strength to promote resilience and shared growth.

“I care deeply about the Commonwealth and its diverse people,” she said.


Under the subject "One Resilient Common Future: Transforming Our Common Wealth," which was highlighted at CHOGM 2024, Botchwey's agenda is in line with the Commonwealth's present themes of unity, sustainability, and human development. Botchwey, a seasoned diplomat, has been Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister since 2017.

She most recently served on the United Nations Security Council from 2021 to 2023, where she was instrumental in obtaining funds for peace operations headed by Africans.