EDITORIAL
Any change of government in the world brings with it joy for some people and pain and anxious moments for others.
The same can be said for Grenada where the main opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC) took over the reins of power for the first time in 13 years from the governing New National Party (NNP) of former Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.
There are those in our midst who did not believe that "King Jonah" would have been overthrown on July 8 since a huge amount of persons had become accustomed to the largesse on offer.
It mattered not to these people that our leaders might have been sleeping with the dead, wicked, Satanic forces or whoever to give them the hand outs.
This is why it is important for the new leaders to be careful and resolute as they chart the way forward for a new beginning for those of us who do not wish to go back to the bad ole days.
The onus is on Prime Minister Tillman Thomas to handle the ship-of-state in such a manner that the Keith Mitchell and NNP system of the past decade be smashed completely and totally dismantled and placed in the dustbin of history.
It is imperative that the horns of all who are taken on board be fully examined in order to ensure that undesirable elements not be allowed to set sail on the ship as it travels on its new voyage.
GRENADA TODAY is calling for proper systems to be put in place to vet all persons being considered to serve the country in whatever field especially the diplomatic community.
A small committee should be set up as a matter of priority to help identify Grenadians who are best qualified and suited to serve overseas.
This important exercise should not be left to any single individual to identify these persons and then make the recommendations to Cabinet for final approval.
The U.S has a good system of putting under scrutiny persons who have been chosen by the President to serve in the Cabinet whether as Secretary of State, Secretary of Agriculture or Attorney-General.
It makes sense for us to look at these mechanisms and adopt some of them to suit our needs. It is imperative for us to ensure that none of the reside of the last regime seeps through the crack.
Absolutely no one with questionable dealings should be considered for diplomatic posting abroad.
As a matter of fact anyone who flew around Europe with former Prime Minister Mitchell and his Pirate of Prague friend should not be brought back to serve this country at any high level of diplomatic representation.
GRENADA TODAY fought vigorously against the NNP over the past 13 years to bring an end to that system of corruption and graft that permeated every facet of life in this country.
How can anyone ask us to support as an Ambassador persons who might have engaged in shopping sprees and got other forms of benefits from the personal credit card of criminal elements and questionable characters who flooded into our country compliments the NNP regime?
Mr. Prime Minister, you cannot leave nothing to chance. The country voted for change on July 8 and expect a shake-up in the system.
There are members in the current government who left the island for long periods in the 1980's and early 90's and are totally ignorant of the dealings of some people in our midst.
However, these persons now serving in government are not willing to do the necessary research and thorough background checks to ensure that the stream is pure and clean.
Mr. Prime Minister, this country voted on July 8 for a new beginning and not a return to the days of old.
And absolutely no one should be allowed a free hand to reinvent the wheels of the 1979-83 Grenada Revolution.
A proper system must be put in place to examine these people and to make sure that they truly deserve whatever task is assigned to them.
Jobs must be given on the basis of performance and not on loyalty to anyone individual.
Anyone who chooses to walk that path is selfish and greedy and is trying to embark on the same path followed by Mitchell and his rule within NNP.
This country voted for serious change and is not going back along that road.
