Ambassador Audrey Waddell to be appointed as Head of Foreign Mission

Former Director-General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell is to be appointed as the Head of one of the Guyana Missions abroad.

President David Granger today said the move is a promotion and not a demotion.

Speaking to members of the media after accepting the credentials of the new Brazilian Ambassador, President Granger said Ambassador Waddell was earmarked for an overseas posting as part of his efforts to depoliticize the Foreign Service.

“We have laid down certain criteria, there are certain things for example, language qualifications and Ambassador Waddell speaks foreign languages and that is one of the criteria that we laid down. That as far as possible, Ambassadors and High Commissioners should speak the language of the capitals to which they are posted. So she is qualified for a higher post. And on vacating the position of Director-General, it was my decision to appoint a Permanent Secretary who will continue with the administration of the foreign service”, the President said.

Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the appointment of a Permanent Secretary and a move to change a number of Ambassadors and High Commissioners.

President Granger today said it is his preference for Foreign Missions to be headed by career diplomats and not political appointees and he is moving in that direction.

The President said “my intention has always been that the appointment of persons who did not come through the Foreign Service should be reduced. In rare occasions, it may be necessary but my intention has always been to professionalize the Foreign Service”.

Mr. Granger said many of the contracts of the Ambassadors and High Commissioners came to an end when there was uncertainty about when elections would take place. He said that with an election date now set, he decided that it was time to make the changes to the foreign missions.