Ali’s new Cabinet blends fresh faces, new ministries and continuity

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

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.