by Linda Straker
- Some old members opted out of serving; others appointed in different positions
- Lower House of Parliament members Dickon Mitchell and Joseph Andall elected to serve on new executive
- Deputy PM for ruling St Kitts Labour Party called for support to defend Grenada’s PM
Delegates of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) elected 9 new people to serve on the party’s 17-member national executive at its 2023 convention held on Sunday, 5 March 2023, under the theme “Transforming NDC… Transforming Grenada.”
Some old executive members opted out of serving, while others were appointed to serve in different positions. Serving in new roles are Chairman Sylvester Quarless and Deputy Chairman Randall Robinson, who served as Deputy Chairman and Assistant Public Relations Officer, respectively. Cindy Henry, formerly the Recording Secretary, replaced Tereisha Fortune and is now the Assistant Recording Secretary. The new Recording Secretary is Tessa St Cyr.
The new executive members are Assistant Public Relations Officer Terrence Forrester, who replaced Randall Robinson; Assistant General Secretary (Western Zone) Raphael Paul, who replaced Rickelson Scott; Assistant General Secretary (Eastern Zone) Lindy Ann Dottin, who replaced Belinda Charles; and Assistant General Secretary (Southern Zone) Azam Rahaman who replaced Ron Redhead.
The new floor members are Josephine Blache, Osbert Charles and Terrence Moore. They replaced Lennox Andrews, Elwyn McQuiklin, and Garvyn Pierre.
Only 2 elected members in the Lower House of Parliament were elected to serve on the new executive: Political Leader Dickon Mitchell and Deputy Political Leader Joseph Andall who represent the constituencies of St David and St Patrick West respectively. The NDC won 9 of the 15 constituency seats in the June 2022 General Elections.
Addressing a rally following the convention, the Political Leader said the new executive is “a mixture of youth, talent, enthusiasm, power, intelligence, beauty, and we are ready to move Grenada forward.” He told the supporters that his party will be governing Grenada for 5 election cycles.
“Remember when I said in October 2021 when I was elected that it will be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years… NDC all the way,” he reminded the hundreds of supporters who began chanting ‘forward’ with fists raised in the air.
Dr Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister for the ruling St Kitts Labour Party, called for support to defend the prime minister and not pay attention to fake news. “You have a great political leader… I call on you comrades, I call on you brothers and sisters to support your political leader, defend your prime minister. Sell your story and forget the fake news. Once you are committed and you are not distracted, you will be able to help him with this massive team,” he said.
Former Chairman Tevin Andrews, now serving as the Member of Parliament for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, told the supporters they should not take the June 2022 election victory for granted. “We cannot take this victory for granted; we did it because we worked very hard… I, therefore, charge you tonight to continue to put your boots on the ground. Continue to support your political party and, most importantly, continue to defend your political party. They will try all kinds of things; we are solid as a rock, and we ain’t going nowhere,” he said.
Totally agree with keeping boots on the ground. Also important is keeping ears on the ground — make yourselves available for consultations with all regardless of assumed political connections. Govern as if there is only one election cycle. In that way survival for another will be assured.
Congrats to the new executive. I’m not sure about governing for 5 election cycles but carry on.