· Governor’s Swearing-in Ceremony can be viewed on government’s YouTube channel.
· The Governor highlighted his four priority areas in his initial months in office.
· He received a 21-gun salute and Royal Salute and inspected a guard of honour.

Grand Cayman (GIS) – The entire LA proceedings for the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, 26 March 2018 afternoon, including the moving speeches and a rendition of the National Song by a youthful quartet, can be viewed on the government YouTube page. The page can be accessed at www.youtube.com/cigtelevision.

On Monday, upon arrival at the LA as Governor Designate but prior to entering the building, Mr. Choudhury received his first Royal Salute outside the building from a Royal Cayman Islands Police Service contingent.

He was warmly welcomed by the Speaker, Hon. McKeeva Bush, Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin on behalf of the Government and by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson on behalf of the Civil Service.

The Speaker, in his welcome, said he was touched to see the Governor walk down the flight upon arrival cradling his baby daughter in his arms, which boded well since the Cayman Islands is all about family. He lauded the presence of workers from the Indian sub-continent who were generally well liked.

Reverend Christopher Mason led the House in prayer which was followed by Miss Kimberly Williams-Stewart singing the National Anthem and the reading of the Warrant of Appointment by Mr. Manderson.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Anwar Choudhury received his oaths of office from the Chief Justice, Hon. Anthony Smellie, QC inside the LA Chamber.

Welcoming Cayman’s 13th Governor on behalf of Government and speaking from his heart, Premier McLaughlin noted this is the first time in the Cayman Islands that a Governor will parent an infant in Government House.

The Premier said he was deeply moved when Mr. Choudhury, who recently lost his father, had stated that his late schoolteacher father had instilled in him the value of integrity. That was a quality that resonated in him, Mr. McLaughlin revealed.

The Premier outlined that Cayman’s resiliency, and subsequent success, could be attributed to the fostering by early Caymanians of integrity, hard work, resiliency, resourcefulness and self-reliance in their families and thereby the community.

He went on to masterfully encapsulate Cayman’s social and political history for the new Governor and then described Mr. Choudhury’s arrival at a pivotal time when the UK is re-aligning its links with the world following Brexit. This would offer opportunities for both the UK and the Cayman Islands, similar to the recent trip that he led to Hong Kong to promote Cayman’s strengths.

Underscoring the close links now between the UK and Cayman Islands, Mr. McLaughlin added he looked forward to further strengthening those ties and receiving sage counsel from the new Governor.

Deputy Governor Manderson extended to the Governor a cordial welcome on behalf of the Civil Service.

He outlined key areas where the five year strategic plan that was launched in January 2018 to revitalise the civil service has begun, and would continue, to bear fruit: financial management, good governance, civil service performance; public response to performance and internal security.
All these elements would help forge a truly world-class civil service, he emphasised.

In reply, Governor Choudhury said he was “deeply humbled and honoured” to accept the responsibility of his appointment as the Governor of the Cayman Islands.
“I can assure you all that I intend to uphold and defend our Constitution, laws and the prosperity of our islands to the best of my ability,” he said.

“I am here to serve you and I want to hear your views and your ideas. I am energised by people’s hopes and dreams; nothing gives me more pleasure than to serve. You will find my door open to you and I will defend your rights and prosperity with everything I have at my disposal.”

The Governor also revealed that four areas of focus will prioritise his efforts initially: the Cayman Islands’ security; the interests of Cayman business, particularly the financial services industry; human rights and developing closer people-to-people links between the UK and the Cayman Islands.

The Williams Quartet then led the singing of the National Song “Beloved Isle Cayman.”

Soon after, the Governor exited the LA Chamber, central George Town reverberated to his first 21-gun salute. He also inspected a guard of honour presented by the Police contingent, led by Parade Commander, Acting Chief Inspector Everton Spence and accompanied by Commissioner of Police, Mr. Derek Byrne. He then received a second Royal Salute.

He next met members of the general public introduced by the Speaker on the steps of the LA, prior to departing for Government House.

The Governor was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Momina Choudhury, who watched the proceedings from the VIP box in the LA Gallery.

IMAGES:
Photo captions: Photos by Bina Mani and Edlyn Ruiz, GIS
Governor swearing-in: His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Anwar Choudhury takes his oath of office, administered by the Chief Justice, Hon. Anthony Smellie, QC.
Governor Inspects Guard of Honour: Governor Choudhury inspects the guard of honour by an RCIPS contingent, with Commissioner of Police, Mr. Derek Byrne and Parade Commander, Acting Chief Inspector Everton Spence.
Governor speaks: Governor Anwar Choudhury gives his acceptance address.
Speaker speaks: Speaker, Hon. McKeeva Bush warmly welcomes the new Governor.
Premier speaks: Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin extends a cordial welcome on behalf of the Cayman Islands Government.
DG speaks: Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson brought genial words of welcome on behalf of the civil service.