Grenada: Keith Mitchell sworn in as Prime Minister

Grenada’s Keith Mitchell was on Friday sworn in as his country’s prime minister following his and his New National Party (NNP) landslide victory in the March 13 general elections.

“I am humbled by this your confidence in me and the team you have chosen, but that is just the elected team, the real team is all of us,” Mitchell said after being sworn into office by Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade at the ceremony held at the Grenada Trade Center.

He said his first task would be to write an official letter inviting the NDC, officially requesting their participation “in the interest of national building”.
“We do not have to fight each other every day of the year. This electoral war is over, let peace reign,” Mitchell said, acknowledging that in a democracy, people are entitled to support whichever party or group they want to.

He said while the NNP had won overwhelmingly, “this winner does not take all,” adding that his administration is determined ‘to let the voices be heard in a profound way”.

Mitchell told the nation that the victory would be meaningless, if after 5 years, Grenada could not lift more people out of poverty.
“We cannot build this nation if we leave out our marginalized people who did not share our view,” he added.

Mitchell, the longest serving prime minister within the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, has variously indicated that this would be his final term – and that he would be retiring from politics altogether once his term expired. The Prime Minister has not yet named, nor did he give any hint as to who would form the new Cabinet. (CMC)