-Prime Minister, 15 Ministers sworn in President David Granger will move forward with a lean Cabinet. He will not have more than 15 Ministries unlike the previous administration which had over 18.Yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, was sworn in along with 14 Ministers, four of whom are junior Ministers.The conference room was packed to capacity with the wives, other relatives and party members.APNU’s Amna Ally was appointed Minister of Social Cohesion while Ronald Bulkan will serve as the Minister of Communities, formerly the Local Government Ministry. The Ministry of Housing will be part of Bulkan’s portfolio.Former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs and brings to the field a wealth of experience in diplomatic relations and negotiations.AFC Executive Member Cathy Hughes is Minister of Tourism, while Winston Jordan will serve as Minister of Finance, and Volda Lawrence, Minister of Social Protection.Hughes told this newspaper yesterday that she has great plans to develop the sector that she can hardly wait to execute her plans which are sure to transform the industry.Guyana’s new Minister of Public Health will be Dr. George Norton. He said that he is happy to serve the country in this capacity because he is passionate about the sector. The politician asserted that he knows what is required to return transparency and accountability to certain aspects of the sector and as such, will be making moves to address the sole sourcing of drugs at the earliest opportunity.AFC’s General Secretary, David Patterson, was appointed Minister of Public Works while Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine will serve as the Minister of Education.Dr. Roopnaraine said that education is going to be a massive challenge but he is nevertheless, enthusiastic about tackling it.Patterson said that he is eager to get to work for there is much to be done. He intends to focus on examining the Region Nine road, reviewing all contracts and making recommendations on the way forward for the sector.The Minister said that he will also be preparing projects for the annual budget which has to be submitted within 60 days.APNU’s Basil Williams has been appointed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.Four women have been chosen to serve as junior ministers within several Ministries. Simona Broomes,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, known locally for being a consistent fighter against Trafficking in Persons, will be Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection while Dr. Karen Cummings has been appointed Minister within the Ministry of Public Health.APNU’s Annette Ferguson is Minister within the Ministry of Public Works and her colleague, Nicolette Henry, will work along with Dr. Roopnaraine as Minister within the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will be incorporated into the education sector.The Minister of Public Security, formerly the Ministry of Home Affairs, is expected to be AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan. He is expected to be sworn in today.President Granger said that negotiations are still ongoing regarding the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Minister of Agriculture, but these are expected to conclude today and the Ministers appointed as well.Sydney Allicock, widely accepted as a pioneer of community-based tourism, will soon be sworn in as Minister of Indigenous Peoples.Granger said that the Ministry of the Presidency will be responsible for information. In charge of this Ministry is APNU’s Joseph Harmon.He added, “I don’t intend to micromanage. I intend in the fullest of time to not have commercial aspects of broadcasting managed by the state. I believe it should be involved in public broadcasting for matters such as health or disasters.”Ministries that have not been named such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment will fall under the purview of the President.President David Granger congratulated the Ministers appointed. He said that he looks forward to working with them and taking the country forward.
