Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey vows to champion Commonwealth values as newly elected Secretary-General
Newly elected Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has pledged her full commitment to advancing the organization’s goals and values. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at Kotoka International Airport on Monday, October 28, Botchwey expressed pride in her new role, describing her election as a profound honor and humbling experience.
Botchwey’s historic appointment was made on Friday, October 25, during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024) held in Apia, Samoa. She becomes the first African woman and the second successive woman to hold the position, following the tenure of current Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who will complete her term in March 2025.
Reflecting on her election, Botchwey said, “When heads of state at CHOGM elected me, I accepted with a deep sense of humility and honor. I look forward to working tirelessly to make the Commonwealth relevant to its people and to build on the foundation laid by Patricia Scotland and the Secretariat’s dedicated staff and partners. Together, we can deepen democracy, peace, and economic progress in our shared journey.”
Her election followed discussions among leaders from 56 Commonwealth member nations, where key global issues were at the forefront. Botchwey will take over from Scotland, who has served since 2016, with a commitment to furthering the Commonwealth’s mission to promote democracy, peace, and economic development across its member states.
