The Commonwealth has a new Secretary General, and she is Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a former Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
According to a statement issued by the Commonwealth Secretariat, Secretary General Botchwey assumed office on Tuesday pledging to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter at a time of growing global tensions and shifting alliances while promising to prioritise women, young people, climate change and revitalize trade.
Secretary General Botchwey who replaces Patricia Scotland, is the first African woman and the second African overall to lead the association of 56 countries, which make up a third of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the United Nations membership.
Secretary General Botchwey acknowledged the scale of challenges confronting the world, saying, “the world we woke up to today is unlike any we have seen in our lifetimes. The consequences of lower economic growth, increased defence expenditures, and a frayed multilateralism will affect our pockets directly, increase unemployment and poverty, reduce social protection, and weaken our resilience to shocks.
She added that the values of the Commonwealth stand in bold relief, in a time like this. For over 75 years, the Commonwealth has been a unique and powerful force for good. Now we must seize the moment to realise the transformation our societies seek.”
Drawing on Commonwealth values, Secretary-General said “Sustained by the values that bind us – democracy, good governance, peace, human rights, and equal opportunity – we will build a future in which dignity, opportunity, and prosperity are within reach for all.”
The new Secretary General has promised to equip women and young people with the skills, tools and opportunities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world; to revitalize trade, investment and connectivity across the commonwealth which she calls the pathway to industrial development, productivity and inclusive growth, adding that no country should be left behind regardless of its size or income level.
Climate change is also at the top of her agenda describing it as the greatest challenge of our time. Secretary General Botchwey pledged to mobilise stronger action and advocate for reforms of the international financial system to help small and other vulnerable Commonwealth states access the support they need.