by Linda Straker
- New press secretary is Tahira Carter
- New personal executive assistant is Arkera Lessey
- Both come from private sector and did not easily accept respective posts offered
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has hired a personal executive assistant and she, along with the new press secretary were officially introduced to other government ministers and senior government managers during a retreat on Friday, 29 July 2022.
“Ms Lessey has graciously agreed to serve as my executive assistant,” the Prime Minister said in his opening remarks.
The new press secretary, Tahira Carter, was officially introduced to members of the media during a video conference on Wednesday, 27 July 2022. A review of Estimates of Revenue and Expenditures for the past 12 years does not show the post of Executive Assistant to any Prime Minister, but there is normally the Public Service post of Secretary.
It must be noted that budget estimates for the same period show the title of Press Secretary.
According to Forbes, “Executive Assistants perform more than administrative tasks; they are often the executive’s ‘right-hand person’ who enables them to advance company initiatives and goals. They filter and attend to the day-to-day functions that are part of the executive’s role so that the executive can focus on the high-level leadership and strategy functions.”
Prime Minister Mitchell said the two women come from the private sector, and they did not easily accept the respective posts offered. “It took some convincing to get them to accept working for the public service, but I think I should start there because we have to, as a public service be able to convince members of our citizens that joining and working in the public service in whatever capacity is good or much better and a noble accord as working in the private service,” he said.
He said that when a citizen is working for and on behalf of the country, the ultimate aim is to improve the lives of all citizens. He said, “I want to say special thanks to both of you for agreeing to do so,” before explaining the purpose of the retreat for the policymakers and senior managers in the new administration which was elected on 23 June.
This is news???.. What kind of journalism is this?
Lol. Well said.
Did our government also invite members of the public to apply for these positions ? What are the qualifications?
Congratulations, Arkera! You are quite capable of this task and you will accomplish great things both for yourself and country.