A new team of Cabinet Ministers have taken charge of the operations of the Grenada Government following the July 8 General Elections.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attorney, Tillman Thomas which was in opposition for the past 13 years gained a landslide victory of eleven to four parliamentary seats, placing the incumbent New National Party (NNP) which won the four seats into opposition.
Thomas was immediately sworn in by His Excellency, The Governor General Sir Daniel Williams as Grenada¹s eighth Prime Minister since independence 34 years ago.
And on Sunday, Thomas rewarded all of his ten successful candidates at the polls with ministerial portfolios during a public ceremony which was held at the Grenada National Stadium amidst inclement weather.
However, only eight of the candidates will be among their leader in the Cabinet.
The two who were not made Cabinet Ministers are Sylvester Quarless who won the St. Andrew South West Constituency, and Michael Church, the successful candidate for St. John. They both received Minister of State Status.
Quarless is the Minister of State in the Ministry of Works, Physical Planning, Development, Public Utilities, and the Environment. That Ministry is headed by Joseph Gilbert.
Church is Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Planning, Economic Development, Energy, Foreign Trade and Cooperatives which, as expected, is being headed by Nazim Burke.
Deputy Political Leader George Prime, who is appointed as a Senator, is the Minister of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs.
Pastor Karl Hood whose entry into politics sparked off national debate has the portfolio of Minister of Health. The Minister of State in that Ministry is former nurse, Ann Peters.
The Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Affairs has been assigned to Peter David, the Parliamentary Representative for the Town of St. George.
The lone successful woman of the Congress Team, Glynis Roberts has been given the portfolio of Social Services, Ecclesiastical Affairs and Labour.
The longest serving parliamentarian from among the pack, Alleyne Walker is the Minister of Housing, Lands and Community Development. Political Activist, Glen Noel, as a Government Senator, is the Minister of State in that ministry.
Newcomer in the political arena, Patrick Simmons who triumphed over the former Youth Minister, Emmalin Pierre in the St. Andrew South East Constituency is assigned as Minister of Youth Empowerment, Culture and Sports. The Minister of State in that ministry is Arley Gill who is another Government-appointed Senator.
The oldest member in the team, Michael Lett is the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Another Senator who will also seat in the Cabinet is Franka Bernardine who has been appointed as Minister of Education and Human Resource.
Thomas has retained the Ministry of Legal Affairs, National Security, Public Administration and Information.
The enviable role of Attorney General is assigned to James Bristol of the Law Firm of Henry Henry and Bristol.
Two other Senators appointed, but not named to any portfolio, are former Government Minister in the Nicholas Brathwaite Government, Joan Purcell, and President of the Democratic Youth Organisation, Dr. Pemba Braveboy.
Prime Minister Thomas observed that the appointment of his ministers and senators marks the beginning of a new era for Grenada.
³After 13 years in opposition, we have been issued with instruments of appointment to manage the affairs of the State of Grenada... and I believe with your support and with this team of men and women here, the diversity of experience and talents, with your support we are going to move Grenada forward,² he said.
The Prime Minister promised that his government will promote a servant oriented leadership in the country. He referred to them being the trustees of government, and the citizens being the beneficiaries.
Among those witnessing the swearing in ceremony was Barbados¹ Prime Minister, David Thomas whose Democratic Labour Party won the elections in January.
