In a significant milestone for African leadership, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has been elected as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. This appointment marks a historic moment, as Botchwey becomes the first African to hold the position since Nigeria's Chief Emeka Anyaoku 20 years ago.

Botchwey's election was confirmed during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa. She will take over from Baroness Patricia Scotland, whose second and final term ends by the end of 2024.

As a seasoned diplomat, Botchwey has served as Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister since January 10, 2017, and has extensive diplomatic experience, including leading the Council of Ministers of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for two successive terms since July 2020.

Her election is seen as a testament to her vision and leadership, which has garnered massive support across all regions of the Commonwealth. The African Union had endorsed her candidacy, and outgoing Secretary-General Patricia Scotland expressed confidence in Botchwey's abilities, stating that it is her "honour to pass the baton" to her.

This development is significant for the tech and startup community, as it highlights the growing influence of African leaders in global organizations. As the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Botchwey will play a crucial role in shaping the organization's policies and initiatives, which could have a positive impact on the region's startup ecosystem.