Trinidad and Tobago’s first female president sworn into office

Trinidad and Tobago has sworn into office its sixth president and the twin-island’s first female president, Paula-Mae Weekes, who took over from Anthony Carmona at the end of his five-year term.

She took the oath of office on Monday before a large crowd and dignitaries including government ministers, Members of Parliament and the judiciary gathered in the capital Port of Spain.

The former judge of the Turks and Caicos Islands Court of Appeal called on the nation to support her in building the nation and help curb the country’s crime rate.

“If you feel that you are going to leave me alone to do all the heavy lifting, you’re sadly mistaken. I have something to ask of you … I am going to rub my imaginary lamp and appeal to the collective genie that you are,” she was quoted by regional news portal Caribbean360.

She called for a collective contribution of feasible ideas for development, a more responsible media and use of language devoid of insults.

“I ask you to be mindful in your use of language remembering that a soft answer often turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger and that pleasant speech increases one’s persuasiveness,” she advised.

President Paula-Mae Weekes was elected in January and endorsed by the country’s opposition leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to serve as the country’s next head of state.

The Trinidad and Tobago Constitution provides that the president is elected by the Electoral College that votes by secret ballot. Ten senators, 12 members of the House of Representatives, and the House Speaker make the quorum of the Electoral College.