On April 1, 2025, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey took office as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, succeeding Patricia Scotland. This appointment marks a milestone for the organization, making Botchwey the first African woman to hold this position.

With over 20 years of experience in diplomacy and governance, she previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, where she played a key role in international relations and regional cooperation. Her career also includes responsibilities as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

In her inaugural address, the Secretary-General highlighted three key priorities: the empowerment of women and youth, the revival of Commonwealth trade, and the fight against the climate emergency. She emphasized the importance of unity among member nations to address current global challenges, while affirming her commitment to modernizing the organization for more effective partnerships.