Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has been appointed the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. The 56-nation organization, headed by the British Crown, comprises mostly of former British colonies and territories.
The announcement was made on the final day of the Samoa Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which was held between 21 and 25 October 2024. During the meeting, important issues such as reparations for slavery and climate change were discussed.
Mrs Botchwey becomes the second African to hold the prestigious position in the bloc’s 75-year history after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria. The British Commonwealth, as it is often referred to, has a population of 2.7 billion people – about a third of the world.
Botchwey is Ghana’s current Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and will succeed Britain’s Patricia Scotland, who held the role since 2016. As a strong advocate for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, Botchwey’s appointment is seen as a vital move towards addressing the Commonwealth’s “painful” history.
King Charles, who attended the summit with Queen Camilla, acknowledged the lasting impact of colonialism and slavery in a speech on Friday. “I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” he said. “It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history to guide us towards making the right choices in the future.”
The global movement for reparations, led by the Caribbean Community and the African Union, has gained momentum, with increasing calls for former colonial powers like Britain to acknowledge their involvement in slavery and address its enduring effects.
Botchwey’s appointment is expected to bring a new perspective to the organization, particularly on issues related to slavery and colonialism. Her advocacy for reparations is seen as a step towards addressing the persistent racial inequality that continues to affect many Commonwealth nations.
As the Commonwealth looks to the future, Botchwey’s leadership will be crucial in navigating the organization’s complex issues. With her experience and expertise, she is well-positioned to guide the Commonwealth towards a more equitable and just future.
A Look At The New Sec-Gen
Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a seasoned African diplomat and politician, has served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration since 2017. With nearly two decades of experience in diplomacy, Botchwey has established a Foreign Service Institute (FSI) to improve Ghanaian diplomats’ training, human resource capacity, and service conditions. Under her leadership, extensive digitalization has been introduced to streamline and improve consular and passport services both at home and in overseas missions.
Botchwey has been a key player in driving sustained reforms, including the unanimous passage of UN Resolution 2719 in December 2023, which now enables the UN to fund African Union-led Peace Support Operations. Under President Akufo-Addo, Botchwey introduced the “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” policies in 2019, which marked 400 years of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and strengthened bonds between governments and people of the Caribbean and Africa, particularly Ghana.
She has also served as the chair of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for two consecutive terms from 2020 to 2022, playing a crucial role in negotiating the transition towards democracy in the region. She has also served as a member of Parliament for four terms, representing Weija and Anyaa-Sowutuom.
The new sec-gen is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana, holds a law degree from the Ghana School of Law, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London, an Executive MBA from the University of Ghana Business School, and an MA in Public Communications & Public Relations.
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