The New Commonwealth Secretary-General Officially Welcomed By King Charles

King Charles III officially met Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the recently appointed Commonwealth Secretary-General, at Windsor Castle on April 4, 2025.

She succeeded Baroness Patricia Scotland as the 7th Secretary-General of the 56-nation Commonwealth, and her term began with this conference. ​

The first Ghanaian and the second African to occupy this prestigious role is Ms. Botchwey, who was previously Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

At the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, she was chosen by unanimity. ​

Ms. Botchwey and King Charles III, the Head of the Commonwealth, talked about their common goals and vision for the Commonwealth’s ongoing prosperity during their meeting.

In order to fortify the ties among the Commonwealth family of nations, Ms. Botchwey pledged to work with His Majesty King Charles III. ​

In addition to highlighting the continued cooperation between the Secretary-General and the Head of the Commonwealth in advancing the organization’s principles and goals, this engagement emphasizes the importance of the Commonwealth’s leadership transition.

Her visit would typically focus on:

• Strengthening diplomatic and economic ties

• Discussing mutual Commonwealth goals

• Promoting peace, democracy, and development within member states

• Possibly engaging in preparatory discussions ahead of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM)