Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has officially become the first African woman to hold the Commonwealth's Secretary-General position.

The historic occasion happened in London, UK, on April 1, 2025.

In her inaugural address, the former Foreign Affairs Minister of Ghana noted her sworn dedication to championing Commonwealth values during a time of global uncertainty.

Succeeding Patricia Scotland, Botchwey has become the second African leader of the 56-member association, representing a significant part of the world's population.

Recognising the challenges confronting the world such as economic turmoil, geopolitical conflicts, and weakened multilateralism, she averred the importance for transformative action.

A symbol of Ghana's esteemed diplomatic legacy, she underscored the Commonwealth's role as a powerful force for good for the past 75 years.

"She was appointed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their biennial meeting in Apia, Samoa in 2024. She assumed office on 1 April 2025, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in diplomacy, international relations, governance, and public service to the position," commonwealth.org underlined.