The recent electoral victory ushered in a new era of governance for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This mandate was a clear and forceful rejection of the last administration, largely driven by the public’s perception of elitism and a deep-seated feeling of being “fed up” with the concentration of power at the top.
Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday, who also holds the finance minister portfolio, has been admirably building his wider governance team, making generally sensible selections of “round pegs in round holes”. That is a positive development for our nation. This approach reflecting a well needed “wide tent” view to accommodate the cross section of voters who propelled his party into government.
However, a recent announcement threatens to undermine this positive start. The circulation in the press naming Mr. Stephen Joachim as the new chairman of the National Insurance Services (NIS) has caused widespread distress among the governing party supporters. Particularly for those average citizens who stood by the New Democratic Party (NDP) during its most challenging years, this appointment feels like a profound “kick in the face”.
While Mr. Joachim’s educational credentials in accounting and law are not in question, his public record and conduct are. There is unmistakable evidence of his publicly expressed disdain for and pull down of supporters of the NDP over at least a decade across multiple media outlets. […]
The prime minister and minister of finance has ample alternatives. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is rich with qualified professionals who possess superior expertise in financial investment, management, and successful pension plan administration. Crucially, many of these individuals operate with a deeper, more people centric perspective vital for a national institution.
The decision to appoint Mr. Joachim reignites the toxic perception that the NDP is concentrating its top tier board appointments exclusively among individuals with addresses in Kingstown, Cane Garden, Villa, Ratho Mill, or roots in Bequia. This pattern ignores and marginalises the achievements and talent of dedicated professionals hailing from North Leeward, Central Leeward, North Windward, the Central and South Windward Constituencies, and Marriaqua.
The NDP has historically struggled with the perception that it rides on the backs of the ordinary citizenry only to ignore the accomplishments of their sons and daughters when it comes time for national leadership roles. This moment demands that the people who supported this party refuse to accept a return to this insular form of governance. We cannot afford to sit quietly and allow ourselves to be trampled upon and excluded from opportunities.
While the new government deserves every chance for success, this early appointment signals that the wrong track is being taken. To secure its mandate and deliver on the promise of change, the leadership must demonstrate that the era of elitism and tribal concentration of power is truly over. The integrity of the people’s voice and the promise of a more inclusive government hang in the balance.
Citizen
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You obviously have NOT seen the Statutory Board appointments, where the only link between the appointees is that they are NDP DIE HARD SUPPORTERS!
All they have done is rewarded their supporters and continue ULP’S “square pegs in round holes.”
We voted for change! This is not the chage we wanted!
Which Bequia roots on boards…1, Sir James daughter? Ok then, let’s Check d Ambassadorial positions……ALL ah dem from mainland…does dat mean that ONLY mainlanders are capable & competent? Oh heavenly father, let’s be fair!
I am watching with a hawks eye…Stephen Joachim’s appointment might backfire on the NDP government…the top position at the hospital and COP might also be a thorn in their butt too…while they must stay open-minded, they must also listen to the people who gave them the 14-1 mandate…the people were feeling it while people like Stephen Joachim was helping Ralph to wrench the hook further in the nation’s gill…am saying this to the PM Friday’s government, “the appointment of Stephen Joachim to the NIS Board is a shitty slap in the Nation’s face…
This is a brilliant article and it also indicates to me a reasonable man that the NDP is well on tne way to be a one term government. The article was so will balance that I do not have to add anything further. I also suspect PM Godwin Friday to be a wimp. The party will self distruct..
The party doesn’t handle to the reins of power when given to it. Time will tell, the last NDP committed a lot of distrust and that is why they were kicked out of office. The appointment of Steven Joachim is one of them. This man is arrogant to the bone and that is why he was denied a firearm license for the very bfear that he would use it without just cause. This is a one term government the writing is on the wall.
Stephen Joachim appointment was disappointing tp say the least. […] Don’t say i did not warn you.
Well I know some die hard NDP supporters are disappointed ,but as a young nation,we’re still unaware or politically illiterate in a lot of ways. Remember folks,the gravy train has limited seats and the pie is small. Those who were appointed to boards were appointed months ago. You worked hard, and helped your party,but,you were never a chosen one. You are becoming politically literate. Vincy politics 101.
A level of arrogance. Call it a bad appointment for a man is is arrogant at best.
Dr Friday this was a wrong appointment, May i ask who were your advisors in this choice? That person needs to be given the walking stick. I do also hope that Trevor Buju Bailey is not given the Commissioner;s position. I know you are deaf and hard headed as Vincentian would say. Time will tell if your government will be short lived.