President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Saturday evening unveiled his new Cabinet, a mix of fresh political entrants, experienced hands returning to their old portfolios, and notable shifts in ministerial responsibilities. The swearing-in took place at State House in Georgetown, days after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) secured re-election at the September 1 polls.
The new line-up reflects what President Ali described as a government designed for speed, efficiency and results, with several new ministries introduced to meet evolving national priorities.
New Faces in the Cabinet
Seven newcomers have entered the executive, signalling generational renewal and the widening of technical expertise within the administration:
Keoma Griffith – Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning
Sarah Browne – Minister of Amerindian Affairs
Vanessa Benn – Minister within the Ministry of Housing
Madanlall Ramraj – Minister within the Ministry of Public Works
Vickash Ramkissoon – Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture
Zulfikar Ally – Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation
Steven Jacobs – Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport
New Ministries Created
Three portfolios have been carved out to sharpen the government’s focus:
Public Utilities and Aviation – to be overseen by Minister Deodat Indar
Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation – led by newcomer Zulfikar Ally
Labour and Manpower Planning – assigned to Keoma Griffith
These additions underscore government’s emphasis on improving public services, strengthening implementation capacity, and planning for workforce needs in a rapidly expanding economy.
Shifts in Key Portfolios
Several senior ministers were reassigned to new roles:
Priya Manickchand, who previously headed Education, is now Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.
Pauline Sukhai moves to serve as Minister in the Ministry of Local Government.
Oneidge Waldron takes over as Home Affairs Minister.
Sonia Parag now leads the Education Ministry.
Susan Rodrigues has been reassigned to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
Familiar Hands Return
Continuity remains a central feature, with some of the PPP/C’s most seasoned ministers returning to their previous posts:
Mohabir Anil Nandlall – Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General
Ashni Singh – Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President
Hugh Todd – Foreign Affairs Minister
Gail Teixeira – Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance
Zulfikar Mustapha – Agriculture Minister
Dr Frank Anthony – Health Minister
Juan Edghill – Public Works Minister
Kwame McCoy – Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister
Charles Ramson – Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport
Vickram Bharrat – Minister of Natural Resources
Colin Croal – Minister of Housing
Vindhya Persaud – Minister of Human Services and Social Security
Top of the Government
Prior to Saturday’s ceremony, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips were sworn in to continue in their respective posts.
A Cabinet for the Next Five Years
With the blend of youth, diversity, and experience, President Ali’s Cabinet reflects an attempt to balance continuity with renewal. The introduction of new ministries also signals a strategic pivot towards more efficient service delivery, technical governance, and people-centred transformation.
President Ali has warned that the next five years are the most decisive for Guyana, placing his Cabinet on notice that results and accountability will be the ultimate measuring sticks.
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