St George’s, April 13, 2013 – The incoming governor general of Grenada says it’s a proud moment for her and she is looking forward to serving as head of state.
Businesswoman Dr Cecile La Grenade is replacing Sir Carlyle Glean, current governor general, who “has expressed the desire to step down at the earliest convenient date,’’ Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said in a national radio and television address.
Sir Carlyle was appointed governor general in 2008, following the general election victory of the National Democratic Congress of former Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.
“We have identified a possible successor to Sir Carlyle, and we have been in touch with the office of Her Majesty the Queen, at whose pleasure the governor general serves,’’ Dr Mitchell said in reference to naming La Grenade to the ceremonial state job.
He said La Grenade should be installed as governor general “in the very early days of May’’.
La Grenade is managing director of the family-owned La Grenade Industries, a food-processing company.
The family has been in business since the 18th century, beginning with patriarch Captain Louis La Grenade, an entrepreneur of French descent.
“I am proud to have been selected to be the first female governor general of Grenada,’’ said La Grenade, who is cousin to former Grenada Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. “I will do my best in service to my country in this new position.’’
The only other woman to serve as Grenada’s head of state was the late Dame Hilda Bynoe.
From 1967 – 1972, she was governor in pre-independent Grenada. Independence for Grenada was attained on February 7, 1974.
Prime Minister Mitchell’s next major address is Tuesday, April 16, when he presents the national budget in parliament in his capacity as minister of finance.
He has described it as a “growth-oriented’’ budget that will “launch our economic revival after several years of economic decline.’’
Mitchell has already indicated that there will be deep cuts in the allocation to the ministry of foreign affairs, and that government intends to focus heavily on supporting youth-oriented programs.
