The Commonwealth Secretariat, the main institution of the Commonwealth of Nations, is led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The Secretary-General is responsible in achieving the objectives of democracy, development, and peace within the Commonwealth, fostering cooperation among the 56 member nations, and advocating and supporting the collective choices of member states.
Since the inception of the post in 1965, the Secretary-General has been essential in determining the Commonwealth’s agenda, tackling issues such as sustainable development, human rights, and climate change. In addition, the office serves as a peacemaker and mediator, assisting in the settlement of disputes and advancing democracy among participating nations. As part of their diplomatic efforts, the Secretary-General frequently represents the Commonwealth at important global forums. The heads of government in the Commonwealth elect the Secretary-General, who can hold office for a maximum of two four-year terms.
Secretaries General to the date
1. Arnold Smith – Canada
2. Shridath Ramphal – Guyana
3. Emeka Anyaoku – Nigeria
4. Don McKinnon – New Zealand
5. Kamalesh Sharma – India
6. Patricia Scotland – Dominica
The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland KC, who was first elected as Commonwealth Secretary-General in 2016 and re-elected in 2022, holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve in this role. Her tenure will conclude in 2024, coinciding with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). One of Patricia Scotland’s most significant contributions was her tireless advocacy for gender equality. As the Chair of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum, she spearheaded initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap across 56 member countries. Her legacy includes championing women’s rights and empowerment through education, financial inclusion, and leadership opportunities. Under her guidance, the ‘Commonwealth Says NO MORE’ campaign was launched, combating domestic violence and supporting victims of abuse.
Throughout her time in office, Secretary-General Scotland was a strong supporter of climate action, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). She promoted the Commonwealth Blue Charter to safeguard ocean ecosystems and encourage sustainable maritime sectors, which helped bring the Commonwealth to the fore of global climate negotiations.
Dr. Mamadou Tangara
Currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad for The Gambia, Dr. Mamadou Tangara is a distinguished diplomat. His doctoral studies at the Université de Limoges in France focused on Manding oral historians. He also holds two master’s degrees in Demography and Comparative Literature. Dr. Tangara has represented The Gambia in the United Nations and other international organisations, playing a major role in foreign diplomacy throughout his career. He has served on the Advisory Board of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and on the executive boards of UNESCO, UNICEF, and UN Women.
His diplomatic accomplishments include serving as the chair of the African Group at the UN and receiving the coveted UN Population Award in 2019 for his efforts to avert conflict and advance peace. He has lectured at several prestigious universities, such as the University of Oklahoma and India’s Council of World Affairs, and his career encompasses academia, journalism, and governance.
Among the many areas in which Dr. Mamadou Tangara specialises are sustainable development, diplomacy, and peacebuilding. His initiatives to support peaceful political processes and conflict prevention demonstrate his expertise. In his capacity as The Gambia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Tangara demonstrated his abilities in preventive diplomacy by playing a key role in negotiating peaceful transitions amid the country’s 2016 political crisis.
Dr. Tangara is well-known for his contributions to academia as well as his diplomatic activities. His dissertation studies examined the cultural and historical significance of oral historians in West Africa, focussing on the myths and oral traditions of the Manding people. This study demonstrates his keen interest in how culture and conflict resolution interact, especially in African situations.
Additionally, Dr. Tangara has been a champion for population and reproductive health, as evidenced by his 2019 United Nations Population Award, which emphasises his dedication to tackling important social and health concerns around the world.
In addition to his work in these fields, he is active in global diplomacy and holds leadership positions in institutions such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and UNITAR, where he works to promote sustainable development, scientific cooperation, and education.
At a recent debate hosted by the Commonwealth Foundation with Chatham House and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Dr Mamadou Tangara spoke of the need to ‘leverage the opportunities offered by the past to build a better future’ when questioned about the Commonwealth’s colonial legacy.
“The Commonwealth of Nations as a community is futile without its backbone of effective Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)/Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and its outreach representatives in remote communities of member states providing useful materials and human resources in the areas of capacity building to consolidate cultural and human rights values as well as democratic gains. Strengthening cooperation and deepening bilateral relations between Commonwealth member states and the Commonwealth Secretariat through the various Ministerial Committee Meetings in order to maximize the economic interchange and trade between states to end poverty, increase economic growth and mitigate global and common crises affecting the Commonwealth will be one of my main priorities.” Dr Tangara said expressing his main plans and priorities if elected as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
“The Commonwealth with its historical affinity and experiences has endeared the world to its endless possibilities and the organisation has from its inception placed a high premium of importance on encouraging its Member States to provide a free, transparent and democratic space to its people. My priority will also be to translate the Commonwealth’s human rights policies into actions, spearhead crucial reforms and create inclusivity and equality within the Commonwealth. We can also effectively harness our comparative advantage while promoting the values enshrined in our impressive Commonwealth Charter. We can also look forward to nurturing our cultural diplomacy to enrich our common values and demonstrate inclusive growth which are mutually reinforcing.”he added.
Senator Joshua Phoho Setipa
Senator Joshua Phoho Setipa, who has over 25 years of executive experience in political and administrative leadership, has been instrumental in developing and carrying out national, regional, and multilateral economic development programs is from Lesotho. His career demonstrates a great deal of proficiency in handling intricate political environments and negotiating partnerships with influential stakeholders.
His ability to interact with important stakeholders in the business sector, governments, international organisations, regional economic communities, and development partners demonstrates his decades-long diplomatic and political savvy. He has continuously shown via this experience that he is capable of fostering strategic alliances and collaborations that have a significant impact.
Joshua Phoho Setipa was named the inaugural Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries by the UN Secretary-General in November 2018. He has extensive expertise managing and directing teams of highly qualified individuals. He has conducted worldwide programs, led technical capacity-building projects, and represented developing nations’ interests and difficulties in regional and global fora. He has also overseen strategic alliances with public and commercial sector partners, as well as international organisations, guaranteeing efficient cooperation in aiding the most vulnerable countries in the world.
Joshua Phoho Setipa, who served as Lesotho’s Minister of Trade and Industry, demonstrated strategic leadership in the development and execution of national trade policies, greatly speeding up the enactment of crucial national industrial policy laws. In order to facilitate investments in important sectors of strategic relevance, he was instrumental in obtaining significant concessional funding for industrial infrastructure.
He oversaw a diverse investment portfolio worth over US$200 million while serving as the CEO of the Lesotho National Development Corporation. He also played a key role in the early development of credit guarantee programs, which improved local businesses’ access to financing and promoted economic growth.
Joshua Phoho Setipa, who has more than 20 years of strong diplomatic experience, has represented Lesotho and international organisations at the highest levels in international forums, offering strategic leadership in the creation and execution of mandates, especially for developing and least developed nations throughout the Commonwealth.
Over the course of his 25-year career, he has occupied leadership roles at prestigious organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organisation. Notably, in 1998, he founded the Lesotho Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, strengthening Lesotho’s diplomatic standing internationally and promoting his nation’s and the region’s interests.
Joshua Phoho Setipa is the Senior Director of the Digital, Partnerships, Strategy, and Portfolio Divisions. He also serves as the Secretary to the Executive Committee, the Board of Governors, and every Subsidiary Committee in this role. He reports on how the Secretariat’s programs are being delivered to member states and is in charge of managing the Commonwealth’s intergovernmental procedures.
His leadership in these capacities demonstrates his dedication to promoting cooperation and strategic projects within the Commonwealth, guaranteeing that member countries receive efficient assistance for their development endeavours.
As a contender for the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General Post, Joshua Phoho Setipa highlights a vision driven by the urgent need to fortify the organisation and prepare it to tackle the new global issues, especially those made worse by the pandemic and climate change. He states that a comprehensive review and reorientation of the Secretariat’s activities is his top goal. He intends to enact reforms that will improve effectiveness, transparency, representation, and overall impact in both international and regional engagements by means of thorough consultations with member states.
He advocates for the development of a dynamic and competitive environment that leverages the distinct advantages of Commonwealth member nations, acknowledging the critical role of economic growth and placing a high priority on trade and investment.
“The Secretariat will redouble its efforts to support education, health, and skill development programs that will drive sustainable growth and uplift the lives of Commonwealth citizens. This includes mobilising global resources to strengthen healthcare systems and promote digital health infrastructure in the post pandemic era. It also includes enhancing education and skills development focusing on 21st-century competencies. Good governance is the bedrock upon which progress is built, and hence another key pillar of my proposition as Secretary-General. I will resolutely champion public sector reforms that emphasise transparency and innovation. These reforms will enhance participation in democratic processes for all, and especially empower marginalized communities. Furthermore, I am committed to combating corruption through robust legal and institutional frameworks, managing fiscal and debt challenges, and upholding human rights, particularly those of women and girls.” He states.
“The imperative to address climate change cannot be overstated. I will prioritise robust resilience and adaptation measures, particularly for our vulnerable small island developing states. Our focus will involve scaling up access to climate finance, advocating for sustainable ocean governance, and leveraging the potential of Blue Economies. Gender, Youth, Innovation, Partnerships, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will serve as cross-cutting pillars of our development work. We will integrate these critical areas into all aspects of our operations, ensuring inclusive, forward-looking solutions. Partnerships and AI have the potential to transform the way we address complex challenges and harness the collective strength and potential of our diverse Commonwealth community,” Sepita added.
“My vision of a fortified Commonwealth is a realistic, innovative and transformative plan that embraces change, innovation, and collaboration with members to effectively address the needs and aspirations of our member states. As Secretary-General, I pledge to work tirelessly with the Board of Governors to foster unity and co-operation, and diligently working towards a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Commonwealth. I am committed to forging a Commonwealth that is resilient, responsive, and a beacon of hope for our generations to come.” he says of his vision if elected as the 7th Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
Ghana is the hometown of Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. She is a politician, lawyer, and diplomat who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister since 2017. She has served as a member of the Ghanaian Parliament, deputy foreign minister, and deputy minister of trade and industry.
The Commonwealth’s members seek an organisation that is pertinent to their endeavours to develop resilience, including economic, democratic, and climate resilience. A transformative vision, strategic alliances, and the resurgence of the Member Countries’ trust and support are all necessary to achieve that objective. In order to mobilise the necessary resources, this is essential.
In light of this, she has suggested six areas for the organisation to reposition itself in order to meet the aspirations of the hundreds of millions of people living in the Commonwealth for a respectable and satisfying existence.
These are:
* Democracy, Commonwealth Values and Realising the Democratic Dividend
* Trade and Investment
* Youth, Education, Skills, Innovation and Start Ups
* Climate Change
* Small Island Developing States and Small States
* Managing resources for an Effective Commonwealth Institution.
”In the Commonwealth, member countries, whether industrialized or developing, need one another. We are a diverse family with a common history and values. My vision is to reposition our organization for all members, especially developing countries. Together, we can achieve climate resilience, promote economic transformation through increased trade and investment, and leverage technology to create opportunities for our youth. We can also promote good governance to build resilient and thriving societies, and resource our organisation better. As your Secretary-General, I will use my well-known passion for accountable governance, and my extensive experience working with global leaders on interventions involving diplomacy, trade, youth, gender and democracy, to reposition the Commonwealth, fulfil our aspirations, and improve the lives of our people.” Botchwey states.
In order to guarantee a good level of life for all Commonwealth citizens, Botchwey asserts that Commonwealth values must be redefined to include a firm commitment to democracy, peace, justice, and human rights. She stresses the significance of looking beyond election mechanics while also recognising the Commonwealth’s historic accomplishments in election observation, such as the Good Offices of the Secretary-General. She promotes greater involvement in democratic government and participation, especially in a world where social media is having a bigger impact. According to her, this calls for improved cooperation between the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Secretariat.
According to her, Commonwealth principles ought to set the standard for prosperity, peace, security, and good administration. This framework would prioritise promoting sustainable green and blue economies, empowering women and youth, and elevating the voices of small and vulnerable governments. She hopes to increase the Commonwealth’s efficacy and relevance in tackling today’s global issues by promoting these values.
