Grenada elects new House Speaker and Senate President
The new House Speaker and Senate President took their oath of office at the ceremonial opening of Grenada’s 11th Parliament.
Leo Cato is the new Speaker of the House of Representatives for Grenada, succeeding former speaker Michael Pierre.
Cato holds a Master of Science in Computer Systems Design from Kingston University and commenced a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Technology at Walden University. His professional portfolio includes yeoman service to the Government of Grenada, serving in various capacities at the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development over a twenty (20) year tenure.
“It is new grounds having travelled in the field of Education all my life, and Agriculture to a lesser extent, but the House of Parliament is really new grounds for me, but I am up to the task, ready to learn, and it is just a call for me to give some more service to this dear land of ours.”
“The fundamental role of the Speaker is to ensure that he or she adjudicates fairly and ensures that the best interest of the people of the nation is served. Every Speaker will be remembered for how he or she conducted the business of the House, and so I am approaching this new task with a clean slate. I am taking things as they come and will give it my best reasonable judgement,” added Cato.
The House Speaker serves as the legislature’s arbitrator and ensures that Members of Parliament (MPs) abide by the rules.
Meanwhile, Dr Dessima Williams is Chester Humphrey’s successor as President of the Senate
“All sides of the Parliament should all agree that it is the future of Grenada that we are here to enhance and legislate for its betterment, so I look forward to that. I am a bit excited about the diversity of members of the Senate from where they come, so it is going to be a truly Grenadian process to bring that harmony to the Senate,” said Williams
Williams led a 40-island global climate change initiative through climate change discussions while serving as Grenada’s Ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013 and as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS). She founded the Grenada Education and Development Programme in 1996, which supports Grenada’s students as emerging leaders.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell congratulated Cato and Williams on their appointment.