67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
Blog Series

The next Commonwealth Secretary-General?

Commonwealth Leaders will appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General at CHOGM 2024. The candidates for the role are from Lesotho, Ghana and The Gambia.

At the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October 2024, the Commonwealth Leaders will appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.

In line with the regional rotation for this position outlined by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the next Commonwealth Secretary-General will come from the Africa Region. All candidates are required to show a firm commitment to the core values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.

In this CPA blog series, we hear from two of the three candidates about their aspirations for the future of the Commonwealth, what they think is the role for Commonwealth Parliamentarians and the Commonwealth’s greatest challenges today.

  • Senator Joshua Setipa from Lesotho - click here
  • Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey from Ghana - click here
  • Dr Mamadou Tangara from Gambia

Published 11 July 2024

 

Further resources

The Commonwealth Charter (CPA version)

The Commonwealth Charter is a document of the values and aspirations which unite the Commonwealth. It expresses the commitment of member states to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all the people of the Commonwealth. The Charter also acknowledges the role of civil society in supporting the goals and values of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Latimer House Principles (CPA version)

The Commonwealth Latimer House Principles (officially titled: Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the Three Branches of Government) highlight the importance of the separation of powers between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary to ensure effective governance and democracy.