Ghana has had three women serve as Foreign Affairs Ministers since independence, with Gloria Amon-Nikoi making history as the first woman to occupy the position in 1979.

The others are Hannah Serwaa Tetteh, who served from 2013 to 2017, and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who held the portfolio from 2017 to January 2025.

Trailblazers of Ghanaian Politics: The women who entered Ghana's 1st Parliament in 1960

Their appointments marked important moments in Ghana’s diplomatic history, with each bringing different experiences to the management of the country’s foreign relations.

Here is a profile of the three women who have served in the role.

Gloria Amon-Nikoi: Ghana’s first female Foreign Affairs Minister

Gloria Adwoa Amon-Nikoi became Ghana’s first female Foreign Affairs Minister in June 1979 under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) government.

As a career diplomat, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission to the United Nations from 1969 to 1974 before taking on other responsibilities within Ghana’s diplomatic service.

Her appointment broke a significant barrier for women in Ghanaian politics and diplomacy at a time when senior government positions were largely occupied by men.

Although her tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister was brief, lasting until September 1979, her place in history remains significant as the first woman to lead the Ministry.

Amon-Nikoi died in Washington, DC, on November 10, 2010, aged 83.

Hannah Serwaa Tetteh: From law to international diplomacy

Hannah Serwaa Tetteh served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from January 2013 to January 2017 under President John Dramani Mahama’s first term in office as the president of Ghana.

Born on May 31, 1967, she attended Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast before studying law at the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law.

Before entering government, she worked as a legal practitioner and held several positions at the Ghana Agro Food Company Limited, where she gained experience in legal services, human resources and administration.

She entered Parliament in 2000 as the MP for Awutu Senya West and later served as Minister of Trade and Industry from 2009 to 2013.

Her appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister followed her tenure at the Trade and Industry Ministry.

After leaving the portfolio in 2017, Tetteh continued her international public service career, including serving as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey: Eight years at the Foreign Affairs Ministry

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from January 2017 to January 2025 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Before her appointment, she served as a Member of Parliament for the Weija and Anyaa-Sowutuom constituencies and held positions as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Information, and Trade and Industry.

During her eight-year tenure, she oversaw improvements in consular and passport services, including digitisation, and supported the establishment of the Foreign Service Institute to strengthen professional training for Ghanaian diplomats.

She also chaired the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers from 2020 to 2022, participating in regional discussions on security, democratic transitions and institutional reforms.

In October 2024, she was elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, becoming the first African woman to hold the position. She assumed office on April 1, 2025.


NA/VPO