St. Vincent – Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has announced the first reshuffle of his cabinet since the Unity Labour Party (ULP) secured an historic fifth consecutive term in office in November 2020.
In this reshuffle, former Minister of Public Service, Frederick Stephenson, has been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Keisal Peters. Peters made history in August 2022 as the country’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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Gonsalves stated that Peters will now oversee the “heart and soul of the government” as Minister of National Mobilization and Social Development. He noted that he had been considering splitting the ministries of housing and national mobilization even before the impact of Hurricane Beryl on July 1.
Gonsalves emphasized the ongoing need to address housing issues following the volcanic eruptions in April 2021, and reiterated the government’s intention to separate the Ministry of National Mobilization and Social Development from the Ministry of Housing.
“Dr. [Orando] Brewster will remain in the Ministry of Housing and Informal Human Settlements,” Gonsalves said, adding that the first-term Central Leeward parliamentarian will also manage the sports portfolio, which was previously held by Stephenson.
Senator Keisal Melissa Peters will bring renewed energy and focus to the Ministry of National Mobilization and Social Development, along with its various sub-portfolios and postal services, previously managed by Stephenson. Gonsalves highlighted the importance of addressing social safety net issues, especially in the wake of the July 1 Category 4 storm that devastated the Southern Grenadines, damaging or destroying 95 percent of buildings.
“She has her work cut out, and we need to split those ministries to provide focus and implement supporting administrative arrangements,” Gonsalves said. Stephenson will now head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, including the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit.
The prime minister also announced that he will take over the Public Service portfolio, previously held by Stephenson.
The cabinet reshuffle will be officially published in the government gazette.
