Letter: Congrats to Suruj for opening up Foreign affairs

One of the more interesting political stories of last week was a "working luncheon" for the media hosted by the Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan at which he opened his Ministry to reporters, introducing all his senior Staff and Directors and putting a human face to foreign affairs.

Dr Rambachan’s initiative demonstrated what makes the People’s Partnership Government stand out from the others that have been in charge of Trinidad and Tobago’s affairs during its 48 years of independence – a genuine attempt to be a people’s government based on transparency and accountability.

Dr Rambachan is one of the country’s most recognized and most successful management consultants. His presence in the People’s Partnership government offers hope that despite the negative propaganda, the new government is on a firm footing and ready to face the challenges of governance.

The event last week was to signal that no longer will such an important Ministry continue to function behind a veil of bureaucratic secrecy and at the same time signaled to the media that the government expects them to ask questions and get answers.

The most defining aspect of the event was the minister’s offer of five fellowships to reporters to train alongside members of his Ministry’s staff in a six-month certificate course on foreign affairs run by the Institute for International Relations at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.

To further illustrate his concept of “Open Government”, the Minister went further and invited the media to spend a day at his Ministry, through which, he said, the whole world passes.

The signal was clear – this government is about the people and there will be no iron-fisted control of information, at least from Foreign Affairs. After all, people have a right to ask questions when their government is investing $201 million on foreign missions.

Dr Rambachan’s initiative demonstrates that he and his Government will walk the talk and remain a people’s government that listens first and acts later.

It is a good sign for Trinidad and Tobago and an even better indication that foreign affairs will be conducted with efficiency, professionalism and a return on the investment.

He told reporters that the country has a fine group of diplomats representing a mix of career diplomats and political appointees.

Perhaps Dr Rambachan’s next step would be to push the other government ministries and departments to do the same. 

The media are only the messengers and if they understand how the government works, if they have access, they would be better equipped to report on public affairs without relying on rumor, cloak and dagger “sources” and misinformation.

Congratulations to Dr Rambachan for taking the first step in a very long journey. The next steps are vital and needed right away.

Capil Bissoon | Brampton, Ontario - Canada