by Linda Straker
- Hon. Andy Williams’ appointment as Health Minister from 26 April–23 May
- Hon. Philip Telesford, Minister for Health out of state on personal business
- Hon. Andy Williams’ Acting Prime Minister appointment from 11–18 May
In addition to his ministerial portfolio of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation, Hon. Andy Williams is currently Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Health.
As Acting Prime Minister he also has the responsibility for the other ministerial portfolios of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell: Minister for Infrastructure and Physical Development, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation, Transportation, ICT, National Security, Home Affairs, Public Administration, Information and Disaster Management.
Williams’ Acting Prime Minister appointment is from 11–18 May 2024. During that period Prime Minister Mitchell is out on state business in Ghana, Africa attending the 3i Africa Summit. A news release from the Office of the Press Secretary said Prime Minister Mitchell is scheduled to address the summit on Monday, 13 May.
Organised by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), the Development Bank of Ghana (DBG) in partnership with Elvandi, which is set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the summit will explore and promote collaboration between stakeholders in key areas to unleash Africa’s Fintech and Digital Economic potential.
The release said that Grenada’s delegation to the summit also includes Honourable Joseph Andall, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development. Besides attending the summit’s events, Grenada’s delegation will also attend several networking events, plenary sessions on digital public infrastructure, digitising economies and other fora with emphasis on digital transformation.
Williams began his tenure as Health Minister on 26 April, and will conclude on 23 May. A notice in the 10 May 2024 Government Gazette said the Honourable Philip Telesford, who became the health minister in January 2024 following a Cabinet reshuffle, is out of state on personal business.
“Whereas the Honourable Philip Telesford, Minister for Health will leave the State on personal business, and it is necessary to appoint some other person to perform the functions of the said Minister,” said the Notice.
“NOW THEREFORE by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 58(4) of the Constitution of Grenada, and acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, I DO HEREBY APPOINT YOU, THE HONOURABLE ANDY WILLIAMS, to act as Minister for Health from 26th April to 23rd May, 2024, and to exercise all the functions and authority appertaining to that office until the return to the State of the said THE HONOURABLE PHILIP TELESFORD. This appointment is additional to your present responsibilities. GIVEN under my hand this 26th day of April, 2024,” the Notice said.
Out “on personal” business, means that Telesford who is also Leader of Government Business in the Lower House or House of Representatives is attending to matters that are affecting him personally.
The news that Williams was the Acting Minister for Health was first made public when the Government Information Service (GIS) issued a message for broadcast to media houses on 10 May in observance of International Nursing Day on 12 May.
“Enclosed is a video/audio message by Acting Minister for Health Hon. Andy Williams in observance of International Nurses Day, May 12, 2024. The Government Information Service (GIS) requests that the above-mentioned message is broadcast on your facility on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at a time that is convenient for your programme schedule,” said the letter to programme managers at media houses.
What on earth could go wrong here…
Seriously? Looks like this clueless guy would be acting Governor General next, along with the three portfolios. Grenada is becoming more of a joke every day in the week.