by Linda Straker
- Delma Thomas to serve as Minister for Youth and Sports and Minister for Mental Health
- Ministerial portfolios have same Permanent Secretary but operate as separate ministries
- Unclear why Thomas not appointed to Youth and Sports Ministry with Public Seal
Delma Thomas has been appointed to serve as the Minister for Youth and Sports and to continue carrying the ministerial portfolio for Minister for Mental Health, Wellness, and Religious Affairs, with a special focus on the Mt Gay Psychiatric Hospital, however, these 2 ministerial portfolios have not merged as one entity despite having the same Permanent Secretary.
Honourable David Andrew, Minister for Education, was appointed to act as Minister for Youth and Sports after Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell fired Jonathan La Crette on 31 July. Andrew was appointed to act as the Youth and Sport Minister from 31 July to 6 August, while Thomas was appointed to act in the position from 5–25 August.
According to the 13 September edition of the Government Gazette, she was appointed as the Youth and Sports Minister as of 26 August, but the Public Seal to the instrument of appointment was done by Governor-General Dame Cecile La Grenade on 11 September.
“Pursuant to the Provisions of Section 60 of the Constitution of Grenada, and acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, I hereby assign you, the said DELMA THOMAS the responsibility for the business of Government including the administration of the departments hereunder enumerated: Business including the Administration of the Departments, Ministry Of Youth And Sports,” said the notice in the Gazette.
The Governor-General left the state on Monday, 19 August to attend to personal business, to return on 29 August. Former Prime Minister Tillman Thomas was appointed to serve as Deputy to the Governor-General in her absence.
When asked to explain the notice in the Gazette, Press Secretary Neila Ettienne confirmed that Thomas continues to be the Mental Health Minister and that Kim Frederick is the Permanent Secretary for both ministerial portfolios, although they are operating as separate ministries.
It is unclear why the Deputy to the Governor-General did not appoint Thomas to the Youth and Sports Ministry with the Public Seal, as he appointed and presented Seville Francis with her Instruments of Appointment to the position of Parliamentary Secretary in the Youth and Sports on 27 August.
