Selection of Finance Minister ongoing – President Ali

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 5, 2020

While a Finance Minister was absent from the swearing-in ceremony of cabinet members on Wednesday, His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali stated that the selection process for a candidate to fill the position is ongoing.

The President was asked if he was considering Dr Ashni Singh to take up the portfolio. However, he noted that no one was contacted in connection to head the Ministry of Finance.

Dr. Singh served as the Finance Minister in the last PPP administration.

“We cannot confirm to you any individual because we have not identified anyone as yet,” President Ali told journalists on the outskirts of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre today.

“With the skills that we have in the Office of the President with the former President [Bharrat Jagdeo] we are hoping to move quickly with issues at the financial level,” the Head of State said.

Dr. Ali said the responsibility of the Prime Minister and other ministers will be published shortly in the official gazette.

Earlier, the President said his cabinet which is comprised of several new youthful and vibrant ministers is a multifaceted team equipped and prepared to ensure that the aspirations of all citizens are fulfilled.

He explained that those ministers now have the responsibly of executing programmes for the government and must be held accountable, not only by the Executive Parliament but more importantly the people of Guyana.

The government is currently conducting an assessment on the state of the economy and its resources.