The capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ headquarters in Georgetown is being buttressed as part of a broad approach to improve the country’s diplomatic representation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge in a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), disclosed that an advisory committee comprising two experienced ambassadors has been set up to assist the ministry with its work.
“We’ve also started to put the Foreign Service Institute on a permanent footing, giving it a certain structure …we will then bring in skills that will help us to lift the capacity within the ministry starting at the highest level”, Greenidge explained.
The Ministry will be rejigged to provide better representation in advancing Guyana’s trade and economic interest, protecting its territorial integrity and improving relations with its neighbours, Greenidge said. This, he said, will see more departments and senior persons now managing the country’s diplomatic affairs.
“You do have senior officers who would not have served abroad who have been here for 12 to 18 years…we have moved some of those out along with a few younger ones…this allows you to bring in other senior persons to serve with Director General (Audrey) Waddell,” Greenidge told GINA.
Within the past two months, Greenidge said that former Consul General from Barbados, Michael Brotherson has returned to Georgetown, and will be addressing a variety of areas including those related to communication and information. He is joined in Georgetown by former officer Marion Herbert who was posted to London for several years.
“You can now have an ambassador speaking to Georgetown and speaking to somebody who has had similar and comparable experience dealing with diplomatic matters abroad,” Greenidge said.
The next phase of capacity boosting will see persons with language, English, Science and Mathematics skills being recruited to ensure the ministry has a strong team that can do analytical work in a variety of areas and geographical locations.
