Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the newly appointed Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, has paid her first official visit to King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth, at Windsor Castle in London.
The meeting marks a symbolic beginning to Madam Botchwey’s tenure, which officially began on April 1, 2025. A seasoned diplomat and former Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, she assumes leadership at a time when the global community is navigating heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving alliances.
Madam Botchwey becomes the first African woman, and only the second African overall, to serve as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth — a voluntary association of 56 independent nations bound by shared values and history.
In her new role, she has pledged to uphold and promote the principles of the Commonwealth Charter, with a strong focus on unity, sustainable development, human rights, and democratic governance.
The Commonwealth today represents over 2.5 billion people — roughly a third of the world’s population — and more than a quarter of the United Nations membership, making it a significant voice on the global stage.
