The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who has been elected as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, has expressed deep gratitude to Commonwealth leaders for their confidence in her leadership.

The Minister also assured the Commonwealth leaders of her commitment to steering the Commonwealth towards a shared vision of inclusivity and progress.

“I’m honoured and humbled by the trust of Commonwealth leaders. A lot of work lies ahead. But together, we shall work for a New Commonwealth that works for all its citizens,” she shared in a statement on her X (formerly Twitter) account.

Taking the reins from Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of the United Kingdom, Ms. Botchwey is set to champion the Commonwealth’s core principles of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.

Her leadership promises to reflect her dedication to strengthening collaboration and addressing modern global challenges across the Commonwealth’s 56 member states.

Ms. Botchwey, a seasoned lawyer, diplomat, and politician, was chosen over two other African contenders, Lesotho's Senator Joshua Setipa and The Gambia's Dr. Mamadou Tangara, marking a significant milestone for Ghana on the global diplomatic stage.

This election took place at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa.