Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the newly elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, has expressed her unwavering commitment to advancing the organisation’s goals, vowing to devote herself fully to promoting the values and objectives of the Commonwealth community.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Kotoka International Airport on Monday, October 28, Ayorkor Botchwey shared her pride in the role and the immense responsibility that comes with it, describing her election as both a profound honour and a humbling experience.
Ayorkor Botchwey’ was elected during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024), held in Apia, Samoa, on Friday, October 25.
“On Saturday, when heads of states at [27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] CHOGM elected me, I accepted my election with a deep sense of humility and honour. The election makes me the second successive woman but first woman from Africa to the Office of Secretary-General after Patricia Scotland, the current officeholder whose term will come to an end in March
“I look forward to working my heart out to make the Commonwealth relevant to its people and to build on the work she has done with the amazing staff of the secretariat and their partners, which makes it possible for the Commonwealth to open new chapters in our shared journey towards deepening democracy, peace and economic progress.”
Leaders from the 56 member nations gathered to deliberate on key global issues, culminating in her election as the new Secretary-General, a historic appointment that makes her the first African woman and the second successive woman to lead the Commonwealth Secretariat.
She will succeed Patricia Scotland, who has served as Secretary-General since 2016 and will complete her term in March 2025.
