Ramphal House recommissioned
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, February 20, 2020
His Excellency, President David Granger, has recommissioned Ramphal House which is dedicated to Sir Shridath Ramphal, Guyana’s second Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In his address, the Head of State noted that Sir Shridath was one of Guyana’s most distinguished foreign service members and he continues to serve the nation.
“The Cooperative Republic of Guyana saw it fitting that this institute dedicated to educating our country’s cadets and diplomats should be named after you Sir Shridath, one of the architects of Guyana’s foreign relations.”
The president added that Sir Shridath’s stewardship and service to Guyana were “incontestable.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings noted that the ministry had been evolving since its establishment pre-independence.
“As we approached independence, the British Government recognised the need to create an institution to carry out the external policies of the new state of Guyana; accordingly they created the Department of External Affairs which was housed in the Public Buildings.”
However, Dr. Cummings explained that with the expanding mandate of the ministry, its operations were moved to the Takuba Lodge with protocol operations housed in the building next door.
That annexe was dedicated to Sir Shridath for his outstanding services to the nation’s diplomatic evolution.
The building, which also houses the Foreign Services Institute and the Ministry’s library, underwent renovation from 2017 to 2019.
Members of the diplomatic corps and other invitees were guests at Thursday’s event.
Sir Shridath served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1972 to 1975 and has since made significant contributions to the nation’s international relations.