Shirley Botchwey has been in the news recently as she assumed office as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on April 1, 2025 . She is the first African woman to hold this position .
Key highlights about Shirley Botchwey :
- Appointment as Secretary-General: She was appointed as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa, in 2024 . Her term is for four years, and she can serve a maximum of two terms .
- First African Woman in the Role: Botchwey is the first woman from Africa to hold the office of Secretary-General .
- Visit to India: Prior to assuming office, Shirley Botchwey visited India .
- Focus on Trade and Investment: As Secretary-General, she is emphasizing trade and investment as key drivers for the development of member countries .
- Previous Roles: Before becoming Secretary-General, she was Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from January 2017 to January 2024 and a member of Ghana’s National Security Council . She also served as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Information, and Trade and Industry .
- Call for Homegrown Solutions: She has urged governments to prioritize homegrown solutions to economic challenges and highlighted trade as a sustainable pathway to economic growth, rather than relying on foreign aid .
