Dear Editor,
It is not uncommon in many societies for blame to be placed on the individual who left the cheese to be eaten by the mouse and not make an effort to get rid of the mouse. It is no surprise that I read that three officers of the Ministry of Culture are being sanctioned for the incompetence of the Minister of Youth and Culture Ms Nicolette Henry.
Minister Henry has developed a track record of national embarrassment over the past year, including the mismanagement of the Jubilee celebrations which involved poor seating arrangements resulting in nearly one half of the members of parliament left standing.
The poor management of the Jubilee celebrations also led to the use of disposable plates and other utensils for the national dinner, necessitating President Granger to appoint a special officer for national events planning, a position that has since disappeared.
And now the Minister cannot distinguish between Phagwah and Diwali.
It is reported that three senior officers in her ministry have been disciplined for the latest manifestation of her inability to perform her job. It is reported that one reason for their suspension from duty is their failure to prepare the Minister’s speech in adequate time.
If this is correct it merely highlights Ms Henry’s inability to function as Minister of Culture since every schoolchild should know the difference between Phagwah and Diwali and is aware of which one of these national events was being celebrated. If the Minister had this awareness it would not have been difficult for her to correct the speech while she was reading it.
But one should not have expected any more from this fiasco; the fall guys have been identified, Minister Henry would continue with her PhD studies and her part-time one million dollars a month ministerial job, and the Minister of State in the Presidency will appear to have taken action.
Yours faithfully,
Keith Branch
