Grenada PM announces cabinet re-shuffle

Last Updated on Friday, 14 November 2014, 11:28 by GxMedia

The former General Secretary of Grenada’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter David has been appointed Senator by Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.

Veteran trade unionist, Chester Humphrey has been also appointed Senator and he is tipped to become President of that arm of the legislature.

“The appointment of brother Humphrey is consistent to a long held policy of this government that one does not have to be a member of our party to be given such a position….More importantly, the addition of both Mr David and Mr Humphrey in the Senate, shows our commitment not only to talk the talk, but walk the walk of inclusion,” said the Grenadian leader in an address to the nation on Thursday.

The Prime Minister described David as an experienced politician and very successful Foreign Minister who is now a very useful new member of the ruing New National Party (NNP). He said David has been helping government articulate its objectives and policies.

Mitchell added that the appointment of David and Humphrey to the Senate signaled that government was being genuinely inclusive.

David and nine others were expelled from the partyNational Democratic Party (NDP) in September 2012.

In an address to the nation Thursday night, the Grenadian leader also announced a cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of Yolande Bain-Horsford as the island’s new Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister whom he said had been “left out” of the Cabinet.  “Sister Yolande has been patient and continued to be a valuable team player even when she was left out of the cabinet last year Her introduction now is in keeping with the promise to give members of the team different opportunities from time to time,” he said.

Bain-Horsford replaces Alexandra Otway-Noel who goes to the Prime Minister’s Office as Minister with special responsibility for implementation.

Other ministerial changes are Nikolas Steele has been shifted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Business to the Ministry of Health. The new Minister of Health is Dr Clarice Modeste. Steele’s responsibility of International Business has been handed to Minister of Economic Development, Oliver Joseph.

The Prime Minister added that the Cabinet changes are coming at a time when his administration is preparing to present the National Budget on November 26.