By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Members of the Commonwealth have appointed the Foreign Minister of Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as the new Secretary General, wrapping up the group’s summit in Samoa on Saturday.
A former lawmaker who has served as Ghana’s Foreign Minister since 2017, Botchwey’s appointment came at the end of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which had been dominated by calls for the UK to pay reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, as well as issues bordering on climate crisis.
Botchwey supported calls for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, a position shared by two other candidates who contested for the position along with her.
She said on social media that she was “truly humbled” to have been selected as the incoming Secretary General, adding: “The work indeed lies ahead!”
In a communique issued on Saturday, heads of government noted “calls for discussions on reparatory justice with regard to the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement” and “agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.”
The UK government refused to issue an official state apology for its role in the slave trade and has ruled out paying reparations.
However, after mounting pressure, a government source this week said the UK could support some forms of reparatory justice, such as restructuring financial institutions and providing debt relief.
At a debate at London’s Chatham House last month, Botchwey said she stood for reparations, and that the Commonwealth could have a role to play if the member states request a “common voice” on the issue.
She said reparatory justice was not only about financial payments but also support to tackle the climate crisis and build countries’ economic resilience.
Botchwey has also backed the drafting of a free trade agreement among Commonwealth member states.
The Secretary General is nominated by Commonwealth leaders and can serve a maximum of two terms of four years each.
Botchwey takes over from Patricia Scotland, who has held the position since 2016.
