The Government of Grenada welcomes the appointment of former ambassador, Dr. Dessima M. Williams, as President of the Upper House of Parliament, the Senate. Dr. Williams was elected to the post during the First Sitting of the Eleventh Parliament on August 31, 2022.
“Ms. Dessima Williams has served Grenada with distinction, exhibiting marked leadership and dedication, particularly in the areas of climate change resilience and the sustainable development of small island states,” Prime Minister, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell said, highlighting the former ambassador’s extensive experience as a diplomat and negotiator.
“Ms. Williams’ significant contributions, not only on the international stage but also to social and rural development in Grenada, serve as a reflection of the important role women play in nation building.”
Dr. Dessima Williams was appointed as Grenada’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Nations in 2009. She served in this capacity for over four years, three of those concurrently as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States, leading a 40-island global climate change effort that recorded the high ambition of keeping average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.
Prior to this, in the 1980s, Ms. Williams served as Grenada’s representative to the Organization of American States, Deputy Governor to the World Bank and Deputy Permanent Representative to the Inter-American Commission of Women. At the Organization of American States, she shepherded resolutions such as the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, Development and Independence.
Ms. Williams is the fourth woman to serve in the role of President of the Senate, following Senator the Hon. Joan Purcell (2008-2013); Senator the Hon. Leslie-Ann Seon (20042006); and Senator the Hon. Margaret Neckles (1990-1995).
“It is a particular honour and challenge to serve as a woman, standing on the shoulders of women before me,” Dr. Williams said. “Access to state power by women must both signal a commitment to intentionally increasing the numbers and impact of Grenada’s women in decision-making, as well as enabling women and men the opportunity to bring about positive change for society.” Dr. Williams has penned publications that include “Bringing More Women into Leadership (2000), and “Women in Politics in Latin America and the Caribbean” (2005); and has served as a Special Advisor and Consultant on various United Nations initiatives that cover the Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change and Gender Matters. She founded the Grenada Education and Development Programme in 1996, which supports Grenada’s students as emerging leaders.
Meanwhile, the Government of Grenada welcomes the appointment of Leo Cato as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. Cato was elected to serve during the First Sitting of the Eleventh Parliament held at the Grenada Parliament Building, Mt. Wheldale, on August 31, 2022.
Prime Minister, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell congratulated Mr. Cato on the appointment, highlighting his extensive service to the development of Grenada.
“Throughout his career, Leo Cato has served the Government and people of Grenada in several leadership capacities, particularly in the areas of Education, ICT and Agriculture,” Prime Minister Mitchell said. “Mr. Cato’s professional background and experience marries well with the priority areas of our new Government and I look forward to his continued leadership in this new role as Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
Prior to this appointment, Leo Cato served as Chairman of the Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association from 2014 to 2022 and Director of the Grenada Cocoa Association from 2016 to 2022. Mr. Cato has also held the positions of Manager, Grenada’s ICT Centre for Excellence and Innovation; Director, Call Centres Grenada Ltd; and Advisor, OECS Technical ICT Advisory Committee. His professional portfolio includes yeoman service to the Government of Grenada, serving in various capacities at the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development over a twenty (20) year tenure.
Mr. Cato holds a Master’s of Science in Computer Systems Design from Kingston University and commenced a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Technology at Walden University. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Cato is the representative of the House and its Presiding Officer. He will be tasked with the role of leadership in upholding the integrity of Parliament.
