Guyana’s fourth female Home Affairs Minister, Cabinet colleagues get down to work

Guyana’s fourth female Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, officially assumed office on Monday, following her swearing-in on Saturday.

Walrond was welcomed at the Ministry by Permanent Secretary Andre Ally and the Heads of Departments as she took charge of the Ministry and its agencies, including the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Fire Service, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, General Register Office, Juvenile Justice Department, Forensic Science Laboratory, National Community Policing of Guyana, and Immigration Support Services.

The ceremony included patriotic performances by the Guyana Police Force Band, featuring My Guyana, Eldorado by F.P. Loncke, and I Am a Guyanese by Adrian Dutchin. Her predecessor, Senior Advisor in Home Affairs and Natural Resources Robeson Benn, formally handed over leadership in a symbolic passing of the baton.

Walrond follows Janet Jagan, Stella Odie-Ali, and Gail Teixeira as the fourth female to hold the Home Affairs portfolio.

At the Ministry of Education, Sonia Parag was welcomed as the new minister, succeeding Priya Manickchand. Parag pledged a collaborative, open-door approach, prioritising progress and success for all children. Manickchand, now Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, was welcomed by staff alongside Minister within the Ministry Pauline Sukhai and Director General Anand Persaud.

Meanwhile, Susan Rodrigues assumed leadership at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, outlining a focus on promoting Guyana as a premier destination and improving the ease of doing business. Rodrigues was greeted by newly appointed Permanent Secretary Roger Rogers, directors of key agencies, and senior ministry staff. Other incoming ministers, including Venessa Benn (Housing), Sarah Browne (Amerindian Affairs), and Keoma Griffith (Labour and Manpower Planning), were also formally welcomed by their respective teams.