The Commonwealth has chosen Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as its new Secretary General, announced during a summit in Samoa on October 26, 2024.
Botchwey will lead the 56-nation group, largely comprised of former British colonies, as it faces growing calls for reparations and acknowledgment of colonial history.
Botchwey, who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for seven years, said she was “truly humbled by the overwhelming support of the Commonwealth Heads of Government” and is ready to begin her role. “The work indeed lies ahead!” she posted on social media. Known for her stance on reparations, she stated earlier in the year that “financial reparations are good” and has supported a free trade agreement within Commonwealth nations.
The Commonwealth, led by King Charles III but operated by its London-based secretariat, is focused on promoting democracy, trade cooperation, education, and climate action.
While this summit was expected to emphasize climate change, discussions became heated over reparations for slavery. Many leaders, including the Bahamas’ Prime Minister Philip Davis, called for “a real dialogue about how we address these historical wrongs,” describing the need for “reparatory justice” as crucial.
King Charles, responding to the rising tension, urged nations to “reject the language of division,” saying that while the past cannot be changed, “we can commit to learning its lessons and finding ways to right inequalities that endure.”
Botchwey’s appointment brings the role back to Africa, in line with the Commonwealth’s tradition of rotating leadership among its regions.
