ON April 23, President David Granger announced a number of ministerial changes. Following the president’s announcement, discussions regarding His Excellency’s reasons for the adjustments and the rationale that informed the reassignment of some ministerial portfolios and appointment of new ministers have been the subject of much public discussion, speculation, and debate.

President Granger has since laid those matters to rest. It is unfortunate though, that Guyanese chose to focus virtually all of our attention on perceived negative aspects of the president’s decision, while, at the same time, ignoring or overlooking the laudable fact that President Granger’s decision advances his stated philosophical positions, and gives greater effect to the APNU+AFC’s foundational policy agenda. In that regard, the fact that, with one exception, female Guyanese were either appointed to ministerial posts or, women-ministers were laterally transferred to other positions, is of particular interest, and the president’s use of the occasion to advance the administration’s commitment to gender parity, though overlooked by many, is worthy of recognition.

By now, most Guyanese would be aware that ministerial reassignments were inevitable. On April 1, President David Granger accepted the resignations of the APNU+AFC members of parliament (MPs) who hold citizenship in foreign countries. Those MPs are Guyanese-American Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and Guyanese-British MPs, Rupert Roopnaraine, Carl Greenidge and Dominic Gaskin. The resignations came as a result of the ruling by Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George, on January 31. The Chief Justice had ruled that, in accordance with Article 155 (1) A of the constitution, former MP Charrandass Persaud was an illegal Member of Parliament on the basis of his possession of Canadian citizenship. Chief Justice George noted that her ruling had implications for other MPs in that same category. The vacated ministerial offices had to be filled; changes had to be made. And, the president, quite correctly, made those changes within the framework of government’s overarching objectives, stated commitments, and clearly articulated philosophical positions.

President Granger appointed Dr Karen Cummings as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Haimraj Rajkumar, MP, to the Ministry of Business. Mr. Rajkumar replaces fellow Alliance For Change (AFC) colleague, Dominic Gaskin. Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, who previously served as Minister within the Ministry of Communities, and most recently as Minister of Public Affairs, has been appointed to the position of Minister of State within the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Valerie Patterson Yearwood has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs; Minister Simona Charles-Broomes is now the Minister in the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for youth affairs, and Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, an executive member of the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) has been appointed Minister of Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency. Sarabo-Halley replaces Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. The President also announced that Member of Parliament (MP) and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has been reassigned as Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, replacing MP Valerie Patterson-Yearwood.

As was mentioned, it is unfortunate that many persons have failed to acknowledge or perhaps, even perceive that the new arrangement is good for Guyana. Minister Valerie Yearwood, having a wealth of experience in management, can now feel free to lend her expertise to rural farming initiatives, an area that must necessarily blossom and grow if Guyana is to move towards the goal of food security for all.

Minister Simona Broomes’ charismatic approach to her job will now be to the benefit of Guyana’s youth. Minister Ferguson, a well-recognised people-person, is an excellent choice to head the Department of Housing at the Ministry of Communities, and Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley now has the opportunity to contribute positively to President Granger’s goal of a professional, competent, and efficient public service.

While many of the administration’s critics have been quick to jump to negative conclusions, an objective analysis of the president’s choices will reveal that His Excellency ‘got it right.’ Experience and talent have been perfectly matched with the needs of the Guyanese people. Further, the appointment of women to Cabinet and ministerial positions brings Guyana one step closer to gender parity. And, another thing: how many of President Granger’s detractors have noticed that a woman, Dr Cummings, is now Minister of Foreign Affairs, and another woman, Mrs. Hastings-Williams, is now Minister of State?