Governor-General Her Excellency Dame Cécile La Grenade continued her special visit to Carriacou and Petite Martinique on 3 August.
She visited the Top Hill Senior Citizens Home, the only nursing home on the island of Carriacou. While there, Her Excellency interacted with residents and the acting matron and staff, noting some of their concerns.
The Governor-General viewed the visit to the home as very important since it was an opportunity to meet with the senior citizens, who have already paved the way for the nation’s development. It was also showing appreciation to the staff for the work they are doing.
A visit was also made to the Princess Royal Hospital. Her Excellency got a tour of the facility and conversed with Hospital Administrator Marissa McLawrence and other staff members.
Dame Cécile, who once worked in the laboratory at the General Hospital, noted that it was important to understand what is taking place within the healthcare sector, with the aim of helping to further improve it, and also to motivate staff to continue doing excellent work and ensuring, as well, that they are taking care of themselves.
Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs
I am sorry but we don’t need this lady service anymore as she doesn’t represent modern day government.
We now have a new administration therefore it is time that she is replaced.
In my option she is more liability to this little island of ours and we need a change from the old system.
“Doesn’t represent modern day government” – what exactly is this supposed to mean? Our form of government is perfectly modern, and the GG has a perfectly sensible, necessary position within it. Dame Cecile serves and has served with dignity, grace and integrity in the office. She should continue for as long as she is in good health and wishes to do so.
I’d this office, and more so person, still relevant in today’s age. What has she and the office done for Grenada.. why are we.. and grandmother here.. kissing this woman’s hand.., who is she.???.… Grenada wake up!
The office is actually very important. The Governor-General, as the king’s representative, holds extensive reserve powers in our constitution. It is the Governor-General’s role to act as an independent final check on the government, and as a constitutional safeguard. The GG, for instance, has the power to dismiss a government and call new elections, if necessary. The GG is also responsible for independently appointing a number of very important positions, such as the Supervisor of Elections. As a non-partisan official appointed by and representing the King, not the governing party, the GG is a vital balancing part of our parliamentary system.
The office has proved extremely valuable in the past. It was Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon who oversaw and guided the transition back to democracy after the invasion in 1983, as he was the last remaining legal authority left on the island. I was Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon who solved the 1989 government crisis when the NNP imploded and PM Blaize died. More recently, Governor-General Sir Carlyle Glean in 2013, and then Governor-General Dame Cecile La Grenade in 2018, stepped in and independently appointed members of the NDC to the senate when the NNP won all seats in the election, in order for Keith to have some form of opposition. The GG balances out the PM and acts as a final, independent check, deriving legitimacy not from the party of government, but from the Grenadian crown.