Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey Elected Commonwealth Secretary-General

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, has been elected as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa. She succeeds Patricia Scotland and is only the second African and woman to hold this position. Botchwey aims to strengthen democratic governance, promote human rights, and tackle pressing issues such as climate change that threaten many member states. Her agenda includes boosting trade through establishing a Free Trade Area and improving transportation and education to support industrialization. She expressed her commitment to unlocking the Commonwealth's potential for its 2.68 billion citizens and fostering inclusive development. Botchwey's election comes at a critical time as Commonwealth nations face complex global challenges, emphasizing her extensive diplomatic experience.