The Commonwealth has officially announced the appointment of Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the new secretary-general of the 56-nation organization, under the leadership of Britain’s King Charles, during the concluding day of the summit in Samoa on Saturday. Both King Charles and Queen Camilla were present at the event.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which commenced on Monday in the Pacific Island nation, brought to the forefront significant matters including slavery and climate change.
“Today at #CHOGM2024, the Commonwealth Heads of Government have made a significant decision by selecting the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who currently serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,” the Commonwealth announced on X.
Botchwey, a proponent of reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, is set to take over from Britain’s Patricia Scotland, who has served in the position since 2016.
On Saturday, King Charles and Queen Camilla concluded their visit to Samoa, during which the king recognized the challenging history of the Commonwealth, in light of growing discussions regarding reparations from former colonial powers associated with the transatlantic slave trade.
The royal couple departed from Samoa around noon local time, taking off on a Royal Australian Air Force jet from Apia’s Faleolo International Airport. Prior to their departure, they participated in a farewell ceremony in the village of Siumu, which proceeded undeterred by the heavy rain.
During his address at the summit on Friday, King Charles spoke about the enduring effects of colonialism and slavery. “I have gathered insights from conversations with individuals throughout the Commonwealth, and it is clear that the more challenging elements of our history still hold significant weight,” he stated.
It is essential, consequently, that we comprehend our history, as it will steer us in making informed decisions moving forward,” he added.
The international initiative for reparations, notably championed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union, has seen significant progress, encouraging former colonial powers such as Britain to recognize their historical role in slavery and to confront its lasting impacts.
Those who oppose reparations contend that contemporary nations should not be held accountable for past injustices, whereas proponents assert that the legacy of slavery has played a significant role in ongoing racial disparities.
