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Commonwealth members have appointed Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the new secretary-general of the 56-nation organisation, led by Britain’s King Charles, the Commonwealth announced on Saturday during the final day of the summit in Samoa. Both King Charles and Queen Camilla were in attendance.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which started on Monday in the Pacific Island nation, highlighted key issues such as slavery and climate change.
“Today at #CHOGM2024, Commonwealth Heads of Government have selected the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,” the Commonwealth posted on X.
Botchwey, who advocates for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, will succeed Britain’s Patricia Scotland, who has held the role since 2016.
Earlier on Saturday, King Charles and Queen Camilla departed Samoa, following a visit during which the king acknowledged the “painful” history of the Commonwealth, amid increasing calls for reparations from former colonial powers involved in the transatlantic slave trade.
The royal couple left Samoa around noon local time, flying out on a Royal Australian Air Force jet from Apia’s Faleolo International Airport. Before leaving, they attended a farewell ceremony in the village of Siumu, which continued despite heavy rain.
In a speech to the summit on Friday, King Charles addressed the lasting impact of colonialism and slavery. “I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” he said.
“It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history, to guide us towards making the right choices in future,” he added.
The global movement for reparations, particularly led by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union, has gained momentum, urging former colonial powers like Britain to acknowledge their involvement in slavery and address its enduring effects.
Opponents of reparations argue that current nations should not bear responsibility for historical wrongs, while supporters maintain that slavery’s legacy has contributed to persistent racial inequality.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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