Norton to be new Minister of Social Cohesion

President David Granger is re-positioning three members of his Government Ministers later today (Tuesday, January 3, 2016) at the first meeting of Cabinet for 2017.

News Room has confirmed that at the top among them is the removal of Dr George Norton as the Minister of Health and his relocation to the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

News Room understands the move is a consequence of unsatisfactory performance by Norton, who is said to lack the necessary administrative skills for a ministry as large as Health. Replacing Dr. Norton will be Volda Lawrence, substantive Minister of Social Protection.

Reports also are that Social Cohesion Minister, Amna Ally, will then replace Mrs. Lawrence.

This re-shuffle some say will give new focus to Guyana’s Amerindians with Dr Norton being at the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Dr Norton, an ophthalmologist, can be considered as the most senior Amerindian in the largest coalition party, holding the post of  co-Vice-Chair of the Peoples National Congress-Reform. This is a position he shares with Volda Lawrence.

However, the believed new ministerial position is being viewed as a demotion by many being that the Ministry of Social Cohesion is: 1. A department within the Ministry of the Presidency and 2. is in fact, supervised by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.