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St. Vincent & the Grenadines to get first female Head of State, Susan Dougan
St. Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says he has written to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth requesting that retired educator, Susan Dougan, be named as the twin-federation’s new Governor General.
Gonsalves said he wrote seeking the replacement of 83-year-old Frederick Nathaniel Ballantyne who “is not in the best of health and has indicated his desire to demit office on the 31st of July.”
“A few days ago, 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,” he said.
Dougan, who becomes the country’s first female head of state, will take up her appointment on August 1.
Ballantyne has been head of state since September 2, 2002.
Dougan is a former chief education officer and Cabinet secretary, currently serves as Deputy Governor General.
Over a 34-year career, she rose through the ranks of the teaching service. -(CMC)