President Ali Cabinet disappoints

Sep 23, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

The recent cabinet reshuffle under President Irfaan Ali was a chance to signal renewal, merit, and accountability. Instead, it feels like “five more years pun them same way”—a recycling of familiar faces, entrenched loyalties, and squandered opportunities for real change.

To be fair, the reassignment of Priya Manickchand was a commendable move. No minister should remain entrenched in one portfolio indefinitely, and fresh leadership helps ensure accountability. But beyond that single bright spot, the appointments reflect stagnation and loyalty over merit.

Consider the lineup:

Susan Rodrigues (former Housing & Water) – Tainted by bribery allegations and leaked recordings, her ministry is already synonymous with scandal. Public trust has been eroded, not restored. Yet she moved to head an entire ministry. Recordings after recordings with scandals yet a promotion. Where in public service life is this possible?
Charles Ramson Jr. (Culture, Youth & Sport) – Overshadowed by family influence, with resources channeled to loyalists rather than genuine talent. Governance should not resemble family affairs. Now they are two ministers who are aligned to Sports. It would have made better sense to include a culture oriented person as a second Minister.
Zulfikar Mustapha (Agriculture) – A master of PR but failing farmers and fisherfolk, who face higher costs and shrinking livelihoods, while his children flaunt privilege as seen on social media.
Vickram Bharrat (Natural Resources) – Oversight of mining and gold plagued by controversy. “Gold mines loading” sums up the lack of transparency and accountability.
Oneidge Walrond (Home Affairs) – Barely effective in Tourism, now tasked with security. Crime and policing demand competence, not idleness. What was the rationale of promoting incompetence?
Pauline Sukhai (Amerindian Affairs) – Recycled yet again, despite years of underwhelming delivery. Indigenous communities remain underserved.
Kwame McCoy (Public Affairs) – Better known for propaganda than governance. His return reflects political loyalty, not competence. Why exactly is he there?
Gail Teixeira (Parliamentary Affairs & Governance) – Once critical of APNU for “recycling old people,” yet she remains. Hypocrisy is hard to ignore. Its time that she retires.
Vikash Ramkissoon (New Appointment) – Appointment raises the simple question: to do what? A portfolio without clear purpose. Already social media is making rounds on a serious allegation.
Sonia Parag – Frequently shifted across ministries, suggesting favor within the party rather than proven performance. She didn’t perform yet moves to a major ministry.
Ramraj (Public Service) – At retirement age yet recalled, contradicting PPP’s own criticism of APNU for recycling pensioners.

This was the opportunity to elevate a new generation of leaders—men and women with competence, credibility, and vision. Instead, the government has doubled down on loyalty over merit, recycling over reform, and stagnation over progress. Guyana cannot afford another five years of cabinet scandals, nepotism, and musical chairs. The people deserve leadership that is bold, transparent, and transformative—not more lip service and recycled politics.

Yours faithfully,
A. Rampersaud

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accountability, Cabinet, merit, President Ali, renewal

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