by Linda Straker
- Foreign Service to reflect needs and values of country
- Limited financial resources may not allow all diplomatic posts filled by nationals
- Due diligence to minimise risk for reputational damage to Grenada
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dickon Mitchell-led administration has announced that Grenada will continue to appoint non-nationals to diplomatic positions. This policy, practiced by the New National Party (NNP) administration, was continuously denounced and opposed by the NDC while it was the main opposition political party.
“We now recognise that given our limited financial resources, that we may not necessarily be able to fill all our diplomatic posts with nationals, but we give you the commitment that in every instance we are going to look first and foremost to and for a Grenadian,” Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall announced on Sunday, 18 September during a townhall meeting with Grenadians in Brooklyn, New York.
During the 12 July news conference, Andall said that the NDC administration, elected on 23 June, is committed to overhauling the foreign service to reflect the needs and values of the country. “We are committed to ensuring that there is a career path for people within the ministry of foreign affairs. We are committed to professionalising the entire ministry and the way it does business. We are going to stick to international norms and values regarding the appointment of diplomatic personnel, and, as possible and practicable, we are going to be looking first at our own Grenadian people here and in the diaspora to conduct business for and on behalf of the country,” he said.
He had also warned that there may be some exceptions where non-nationals will have to be engaged. Still, in such cases, all of the necessary due diligence will be done to ensure that the risk for reputational damage to the country is minimised.
During the 12 July news conference, Andall also said that the new administration will be implementing several recommendations from the Richard Cheltenham Commission of inquiry which was done over 15 years by Sir Richard Cheltenham. The inquiry was commissioned because of allegations of financial wrongdoings and or financial corruption against former Prime Minister Keith Mitchell during the early 2000s. The Cheltenham Report among other things recommends that Grenada cease appointing non-nationals to diplomatic posts such as ambassadors.
During the Brooklyn meeting, Andall said that the Government will be working towards having more career diplomats. “We are going to professionalise the foreign service. Over the years an unfortunate decision develops where people were literally sometimes picked off the streets and as one staffer said to me, microwaved, and overnight made into diplomats to represent Grenada. People of dubious origin and character helped to bring shame on our country,” he said.
Perhaps getting Chinese ‘cabinet ‘ members would be the ultimate in Grenada’s confused state of affairs . Use your brains and dont sell yourself cheap
Makes good sense to have non-Grenadian diplomats. Needs honest people. Get some British in. They know how it works.
I smell a rat. Over the years I have read about this outside diplomats BUYING the privilege, in order to do illegal unlawful nefarious things, plus have an extra passport. Naaaa, not liking this one bit. This is sounding like orders from your bosses in UK. Times are a-changing time to be bold and become FREE of the weight around beautiful Grenada’s neck. Time to become a Republic. Be brave, just do it! God be with you. Think about your people first.
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I find it funny that the ndc campaigned on this and is now backing down from that promise
The prime minister said this in his inaugural speech with such confidence, and ndc supporters ran with it.
I, agree with you.
The goal of any diplomat is to assist in the development of the country that he represents. That being the case – development diplomacy is the highest priority of international relations. This is mostly done through multilateral activities on a global and regional level, both within the activities of international organizations and cooperations. Knowing that, how can we ask someone with no interest in our development or limited understanding or knowledge of our people to perform such a function, especially without compensation?
No wonder why we are where we are today, we must be visible to be counted.
You are nothing but a damn NNP stooge. You got on your high horse shouting ” vote them out” . It is a process that they are trying to work on correctly. They are only 3 months in. Your NNP had 10 years straight. What the NDC did in 3 months is much more important than what NNP did in 10 years. So shut up and and go and sit down.
This is an outrage…..It’s slap in the face to Grenadians.
There are many Grenadians who will do this for free and operate with the highest integrity.
Diplomat is a nice word for lobbyists.
There were lots of talk about the Diaspora. This should be a golden opportunity to capitalized on the Diaspora.
If Grenada can’t afford diplomats on its own, then how does non nationals diplomats get rewarded?
Does the diplomat a get a cut from agreements or bring business to Grenada?
What kind of national business interests / agreements diplomats are expected to attract to Grenada?
Isn’t this what foreign affairs is for?
It’s a bad idea…
Vote them out….enough already
We are going down the same streets that we condemn that’s an insult to the people of Grenada am wandering if does position was no promise because of contributions made to the party???
Typical partisan political behavior. Another option , resulting from national budgetary constraints, could to share diplomatic representation with a fellow Caribbean nation.