3-a-card shuffle: Cabinet 2022

In March 2018, while I was working in financial services, I wrote an article about the Cabinet reshuffle and my concerns about the inclusion of Dr. Nigel Clarke as Minister of Finance. I was wrong to doubt that aside fast forward, 4 years and over a year into the new administration, another cabinet reshuffle is upon us. 

While I am technically a government insider, I learned and speculate just like everyone else about my boss's moves. 

This time around, all of the PM's goodwill debt has been paid up, and he has a free hand to do whatever he wants, in essence for the composition of his cabinet. As such, certain moves are more evident than others, but at this point, only time will tell if these are, in fact, the right moves. 

I begin with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). OPM moved from having a single minister, the PM,  overnight to having 4 ministers, three without Portfolio. The assignment so far isn't apparent, but we surmise that Minister Morgan will have responsibility for Information, Minister Davis based out of OPM western, which to some may be new is not necessarily the case. Under a previous administration, the current deputy prime minister Dr. Horace Chang had a similar placement at OPM western. The prodigal Minister, Minister Green, has been appointed to head up NIDS and NIRA. While many are excited that Minister Green is back, some people have raised concerns about not assigning him to an entire portfolio, but those optics could be radioactive; for now, a seat back at the table may be enough. 

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation has seen some significant changes; firstly, the former Housing, Urban Renewal, and Climate Change Ministry is back under the fold of the super-ministry. Senator Hill is gone, but the Ministers Montague and Samuda have been assigned there. Minister Warmington came out unscathed. The most significant of three is Minister Montague; however, after his troubling times at Security and Transport, this may be seen as a demotion, but we must remember that he is the Chairman of Jamaica Labor Party and is, in fact, a very hardworking, down to earth and visibleMinisterr. While there are some management weaknesses, he may redeem himself at MEGJC. Minister Samuda's move there may also be a good thing because he has proven himself at MNS and may be rewarded later with his own Portfolio. 

State Minister Zavia Mayne moves from Labour to MNS. While he is not one of the more talked about politicians, we cannot forget his role in keeping the Ministry of Labour functional during the illness and subsequent passing of the late Minister Shahine Robinson. 

Pearnel Charles Jr and new State Minister Witter will be at the helm of the Agriculture Portfolio; though he has not been in politics for too long, Minister Charles has been at OPM, MNS, MEGJC, MFAFT, and MHURECC. Both Minister Charles and State Minister Witter are members of Parliament from rural constituencies with significant agricultural interests. This should be a Ministry to watch in the coming months. 

The Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce will now be headed by Senator Aubyn Hill; I cannot say anything negative or have concerns about this move. He replaced Minister Audley Shaw, now moved to the Ministry of Transport and Mining. The transport ministry is complex, and the Mining portfolio has its particular challenges; let us see how Minister Shaw performs there. 

The next one is the most significant question mark for many persons, and that is the appointment of the former Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte to the brand new Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs; while still unclear of the actual ministerial function the Prime Monster has indicated that above all she will be responsible for the constitutional review, the conversation around Jamaica becoming a republic and the advance the legislative agenda of the government. How these are different from the role of the Justice Ministry is elusive, but we'll see. 

 Here is the complete makeup of the Cabinet:

1. Office of the Cabinet -  Prime Minister Andrew Holness

2. Office of the Prime Minister (to include the Information Portfolio)

* Prime Minister Andrew Holness

* Robert Morgan, Minister without Portfolio

* Floyd Green, Minister without Portfolio

* Homer Davis assigned to Office of the Prime Minister in Western Jamaica (OPM West)

3. Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (re-incorporates the Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change Portfolio formerly under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal)

* Prime Minister Andrew Holness

* Robert Montague, Minister without Portfolio 

* Clifford Warmington, Minister without Portfolio 

* Senator Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio

4. Ministry of National Security 

* Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Horace Chang

* Zavia Mayne, Minister of State

5. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

* Pearnel Charles Jr. 

* Frank Witter, Minister of State

6. Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports 

* Olivia Grange

* Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State 

7. Ministry of Education and Youth (Information transferred to OPM)

* Fayval Williams

8. Ministry of Finance and the Public Service 

* Dr. Nigel Clarke

* Marsha Smith, Minister of State 

9. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade 

* Senator Kamina Johnson Smith 

* Senator Leslie Campbell, Minister of State

10. Ministry of Health and Wellness 

* Dr. Christopher Tufton 

* Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, Minister of State 

11. Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce 

* Senator Aubyn Hill 

*Dr. Norman Dunn, Minister of State 

12. Ministry of Justice 

* Delroy Chuck

13. Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs 

* Marlene Malahoo Forte, QC, MP 

14. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development 

* Desmond McKenzie

15. Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology 

* Daryl Vaz 

16. Ministry of Tourism 

* Edmund Bartlett 

17. Ministry of Transport and Mining 

* Audley Shaw 

* J.C. Hutchinson, Minister of State 

18. Ministry of Labour and Social Security 

* Karl Samuda