ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (GIS) — Senator Simon Stiell has been promoted to a full government minister in Grenada as part of a minor cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said Stiell is being elevated to the minister of education from his original posting as parliamentary secretary in that ministry.

In an address broadcast on national radio and television, Mitchell also disclosed that former secondary school teacher Kate Lewis will be assisting Stiell as the new parliamentary secretary.

“Lewis has been an educator throughout her adult life, and her time has now come for full national service. Lewis will be the new parliamentary secretary in the ministry for education and human resource development,” the prime minister said.

“…Senator Simon Stiell will be elevated to be the full minister of education and human resource development, while the portfolio for environment will be diverted back to its original place under the ministry for agriculture, lands, forestry, fisheries and the environment, under the leadership of Honourable Yolande Bain-Horsford,” Mitchell added.

It was also disclosed that the pending retirement of Roland Bhola has cleared the way for a new minister of sports to be announced, a position which has now gone to Anthony Boatswain, the former education minister.

“With Honorable Bhola now moving out of representative politics and transitioning to lead the work of the New National Party – he will no longer be in the ministry of sports,” Mitchell told the nation.

“Minister Anthony Boatswain will therefore take over his portfolio as minister for sport – and he will continue to be assisted by Senator Pamela Moses, the minister for youth. The ministry for religious affairs therefore, will now be under the prime minister’s ministry,” he continued.

The prime minister also revealed that culture minister, Senator Brenda Hood, is retiring from parliament, but will continue as an advisor to the minister for tourism, civil aviation and culture, Dr Clarice Modeste.

“This has been on the cards for the last several months — and her final task was to see through the recent carnival season, as the minister for culture,” Mitchell said.

Another highlight of the cabinet shake-up is modifying the role of minister Oliver Joseph who will retain labour and cooperatives.

However the portfolio of economic development will now come under the ministry of finance.

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IMAGE:Keith Mitchell Wikipedia