St. Vincent and the Grenadines will get its first female governor general on Aug. 1, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has announced.
Susan Dougan, a retired educator who has served as Cabinet Secretary, Chief Education officer, and principal of the Girls High School, will take up the post.
Gonsalves told Saturday’s launch of “Renewal @40” that Sir Frederick Ballantyne, who turned 83 this month, has asked to demit office because of health reasons.
Sir Frederick, a retired physician, has been Governor General of SVG since Sept. 2, 2002.
Gonsalves said:
“Earlier this month, I wrote Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, our head of state, to indicate to her that Sir Frederick Nathaniel Ballantyne is not in the best of health and has indicated his desire to demit office on the 31st of July and has so written. And as of the first [of August], Her Excellency Susan Dougan will be our new Governor General.
“A few days ago, the Palace, Buckingham Palace informed our government that Her Majesty had approved the recommendation of her prime minister in this regard, and the instrument of Her Excellency’s appointment is on its way to us.”
She is a good woman that cares about the people and country, congratulations!
About time…
A woman’s presence always make a difference
Very good choice so proud of you Susan.
Congratulations! This is the year for women to take the high road. I wish you Mrs Dougan a long and healthy career in your new role.
CONGRATULATIONS
At least, two former ‘…Colonarians’ have become Heads of State- Prime Minister and Governor General.
Heartiest Congratulations to ‘…Her Excellency, Dame Susan Ryan-Dougan.’
Thanks to the confidence reposed in you by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.
Even so, there shall be no reminder that she is now the ‘…Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.’
She shall also know that she is subservient to none; …owes allegiance only to Her Majesty the Queen and service to the multi-islands nation.
SVG’s 1st FEMALE GOVERNOR GENERAL 2019:
I wish to convey my very warmest CONGRATULATIONS to Her Excellency SUSAN DOUGAN on her fabulous appointment as Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She has certainly broken the glass ceiling as first substantive female GG, following the faithful long-service of Acting GG and deputy GG Monica DACON, herself an indefatigable and eminent Vincentian educator.
Governor General [still currently “in waiting”] Susan DOUGAN has truly paid her dues in sterling work in our nation’s teaching and civil service, inter alia. She has performed commendably throughout the years.
Our ever-lasting THANK YOU to out-going Governor General SIR FREDERICK BALLANTYNE, who I believe may have been our longest-serving GG so far! In the interest of transparency, he was a paternal relative of mine.
WELCOME to DAME SUSAN DOUGAN of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines !!!
Steve Huggins.
Cert. Public Admin. (UWI).
Former Senior Assistant Master, NUSS;
Former Senior Assistant Master, Georgetown Secondary School (GSS);
Former TUTOR, Georgetown Teachers’ Training Centre;
I.O.C. International Olympic Scholar (1995).