Guyana health minister fired after insulting female activist
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 8 Comments
Guyana President Donald Ramotar
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Guyana President Donald Ramotar Wednesday named Dr Jennifer Westford as the new health minister minutes after announcing that he had revoked the appointment of Dr Bheri Ramsaran.
A brief statement from the Office of the President, said Ramsaran, who had been criticized by various organizations following his remarks to an anti-government activist earlier this month, had “been relieved of his ministerial duties following a meeting with the president."
“The president reiterates his outrage at the verbal outbursts and insults uttered by the minister recently,” the statement added.
Earlier this month, Dr Ramsaran apologised to an anti-government rights activist acknowledging that he had used “harsh words’ to her after being provoked into anger.
Media reports had earlier indicated that Dr Ramsaran had “cursed the female anti-government activist and thought of slapping and having her stripped”.
Ramsaran was also heard telling Sherlina Nageer that she was a “little piece of sh*t,” and an “idiot”.
In a brief statement the former health minister said he had joined a group of peaceful persons at Whim Magistrate’s Court to give solidarity to former president Bharrat Jagdeo, who was facing a private criminal charge.
“As I was about to depart two journalists sought an interview with me on the matter at hand to which I readily agreed. During the interview I was rudely interrupted by a woman who kept shouting and interrupting me throughout.”
“I shifted away on several occasions in an attempt to avoid her but she persisted in interrupting the interview. It was unfortunate that I was provoked into anger and uttered harsh words at her for which I now regret,” Dr Ramsaran said, adding “I therefore wish to apologize for uttering those words”.
But the Guyana Bar Association, the Association of Women Lawyers and Justice Institute Guyana called on President Ramotar to dismiss his embattled health minister saying there were convinced that Ramsaran is now an international embarrassment to Guyana and the country can no longer afford such embarrassment.
In a joint statement, the three organisations said President Ramotar needs to “sack” the Health Minister over his “disgusting” remarks against the women’s rights activist.
According to the groups, Dr Ramsaran’s behaviour was abusive, insulting, threatening and obscene and it is unacceptable for him to use provocation as an excuse.
Guyana is preparing for a general election on May 11 and the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is facing a strong challenge from the coalition alliance of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC).