Ghana’s Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey elected Commonwealth Secretary General

The choice of Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey by the Heads of State marks the return of Africa to the helm of the Commonwealth, after 24 years. She succeeds Baroness Patricia Scotland. Botchwey’s designation followed an all-African competition, pitting her against Mamadou Tangara, Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Senator Joshua Setipa of Lesotho. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey expressed her gratitude to Commonwealth leaders for their confidence, promising to strengthen cooperation to achieve their common goals.

I am honoured by the trust placed in me by the Commonwealth leadership. Together, we will continue to build a Commonwealth that serves the needs of all its citizens 

she said.

The election was greeted unanimously by member states, with early support from her former rivals, including Tangara, who highlighted her skills and commitment. A seasoned diplomat, Botchwey brings a wealth of experience in international relations.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey brings a vision of inclusivity and progress that I know will inspire the Commonwealth family,

said Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo the day after the election.

In her new position, she will be responsible for strengthening cooperation between member states, promoting democracy, supporting economic development and tackling climate challenges. Her mandate will begin on April 1, 2025, and will be dedicated to the issue of reparations for the slave trade.

Intellectual and member of the Nation

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey undertook solid studies to build her international career. She holds a Master’s degree in project management, another in communications, as well as a law degree and a diploma in public relations and marketing. A mother of two, she did most of her studies in Ghana and in the UK, at the University of London and the University of Westminster. She has held several positions, including President of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. She has advised ECOWAS Heads of State on peace and security issues in the Sahel region, worked on democracy and governance reforms, and participated in budget adjustments for the ECOWAS Commission.

She has also played a role in discussions aimed at re-establishing civilian governments in West African countries affected by coups d’état, such as Guinea and Burkina Faso, and was one of the ECOWAS-appointed mediators for Mali. A seasoned diplomat, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey also served as Deputy Foreign Minister under President John Agyekum Kufuor from 2006 to 2009, and is recognized for her contribution to Ghana’s international standing under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. She also served as Deputy Minister of Information (2005-2006) and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (2007-2008).

A member of the ECOWAS Parliament, she has chaired several committees, notably those devoted to gender issues and child protection. Prior to her political career, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey ran a marketing and communications agency, advised the Ministry of Tourism and worked in several other institutions. She was also vice-chair of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) committees.

Before ending her sixteen-year career as an MP, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey was a member of parliament’s communications, gender and children’s committees, where she worked with colleagues to examine communications issues and scrutinized all gender and children’s issues to ensure their inclusion in all appropriate legislation.