by Linda Straker
- Andrews asked for allegations of corruption to be presented
- Williams called on journalists to question the opposition
- Redhead refused to confirm or deny being engaged in any form of corruption
3 executive members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration have refused to answer a general question about corruption based on the definition of the law. They instead claim that they are treated unfairly by journalists who are “drilling them down to the last little rumour.”
“I realise when it comes to the National Democratic Congress, and maybe because the country holds us to a higher standard than any other party… you try to drill us down to the last little rumour that you will hear,” responded Andy Williams, General Secretary of the NDC, when asked if he has engaged in anything that is in violation of the definition of corruption as written in the law.
Grenada’s Prevention of Corruption Act No. 15 of 2007, defines corruption “as an act committed by a person that is inconsistent with his or her lawful duties and the rights of others, by unlawfully and wrongfully using his or her influence, office or character to procure some gratification for himself or herself or for another person and includes bribery, fraud and other related offences.
Gratification according to the law includes and is not limited to:
- any money, whether in cash or otherwise
- any donation, gift, loan, fee, reward, valuable security, property or interest in property of any description, whether moveable or immovable or any other similar advantage
- the avoidance of a loss, liability, penalty, forfeiture, punishment or other disadvantages
- any office, status, honour, employment, contract of employment or services or any agreement to render services in any capacity
- residential and hotel accommodation
- any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any loan, obligation or other liability, whether in whole or in part
- any forbearance to demand any money or money’s worth or valuable thing
- any other service, favour or advantage of any description, including protection from any penalty or disability incurred or apprehended or from any action or proceedings of a disciplinary, civil or criminal nature, whether or not already instituted, and includes the exercise of any right or official power or duty
- any right or privilege
- any real or pretended aid, vote, consent, influence or abstention from voting
- any valuable consideration or benefit of any kind, including any discount, commission, rebate, bonus, deduction or percentage
Williams, who is also the government Minister for Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation, did not say yes or no to the question, but called on journalists to not only ask questions to the government, but also to the opposition.
Andy Williams, Ron Redhead – Public Relations Officer of the Party, and Tevin Andrews – Member of Parliament for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, were speaking at a news conference where they shared with the media some of the achievements of the party which is celebrating its third anniversary since being voted into office in June 2022.
Redhead also refused to confirm or deny being engaged in any form of corruption, and instead claimed that since the reign of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) of deceased Prime Minister Eric Matthew Gairy, Grenada has been the same politically. The GULP administration was often accused of engaging in corruption before it was overthrown in 1979 by the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) led by Maurice Bishop.
“Politics in Grenada has been the same since the days of Uncle Gairy, Comrade Maurice Bishop; the only thing that has changed is the time and people’s values. In terms of what we pursue from a political standpoint now, the traditions, the standards, we are attempting as the National Democratic Congress to lift this,” said Redhead, who formerly served in the Cabinet as Junior Minister in the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Education.
“If you or any journalist have any evidence of corruption — I am not talking about rumours and hearsay — any evidence of corruption, you can file those evidence to the relevant authorities,” Redhead instructed journalists at the NDC’s weekly press conference on 4 June 2025.
Minister Andrews also did not answer the question and instead asked for allegations of corruption to be presented.
But wait how come allyu never did that to NNP ministers? That woman that was asking one of the minister questions, you can’t be calling her a journalist, are you?
No forms of corruption should be tolerated; so, please let’s start the corruption talk with the previous government.
I found it rather odd asking such impertinent questions to a minister by person whose credentials has a lot to be desired.
The media has a lot to answer for.
When NNP was in power they were headless chickens who were afraid of their own shadows, now all of. Sudden the finding some false courage to as ridiculous questions which is purposely done by the propaganda machine of the NNP.