Foreign Affairs minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey eyes Commonwealth Secretary-General position

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has announced she is running to become the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

In a statement released on Friday, February 2, Ayorkor Botchwey said she had been nominated for the influential role by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The Commonwealth's 56 member states will elect a replacement for outgoing Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in October 2024.

"I have strong confidence in Foreign Minister Botchwey to lead our aspiration for renewal and for building future-looking resilient and thriving economies, through community cooperation and action," President Akufo-Addo was quoted as saying in nominating Botchwey.

If elected, Ayorkor Botchwey would become the first African to lead the intergovernmental organisation focused on upholding democracy, rule of law and inclusive development across members in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa.

Botchwey has over 15 years of experience in politics and diplomacy, including serving as Ghana's longest serving foreign minister over the past seven years.

“She steered Ghana's momentous two-year tenure on the United Nations Security Council, ending in December 2023," the statement said.

The African Union has reportedly endorsed Botchwey's candidacy, reflecting the understanding that Africa will provide the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.

With her expertise in trade, security and multilateral cooperation from roles such as chairing ECOWAS, Shirley aims to promote shared prosperity across the Commonwealth's diverse nations.

A lawyer by training with leadership positions in government and on parliamentary committees in Ghana, the minister said she is committed to "building future-looking resilient and thriving economies" through cooperation if selected for the Secretary-General role.