Dickon Mitchell

Dickon Mitchell
Mitchell in 2024
Prime Minister of Grenada
Assumed office
24 June 2022
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Governor‑GeneralCécile La Grenade
Preceded byKeith Mitchell
Leader of the National Democratic Congress
Assumed office
31 October 2021
Preceded byFranka Bernardine
Member of Parliament for St. David
Assumed office
23 June 2022
Preceded byOliver Joseph
Chairman of the Caribbean Community
Assumed office
1 July 2024[1]
Preceded byIrfaan Ali
Personal details
Born (1977-10-08) 8 October 1977 (age 47)[disputeddiscuss]
Saint David Parish, Grenada
Political partyNational Democratic Congress
Children2
Alma materPresentation Brothers College
University of the West Indies

Dickon Amiss Thomas Mitchell[2] (born 8 October 1978) is a Grenadian politician and attorney serving as the prime minister of Grenada since 24 June 2022 and the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 2021.[3] He led his party to victory in the 2022 general election.[4]

Early life and law career

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Mitchell was born in Petit Esperance, Saint David, Grenada. He received an LLB (Hons) from the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, and completed his Legal Education Certificate at Hugh Wooding Law School[3] in 2002.[5]

After graduation, he worked as an Associate Attorney-at-Law at the firm Grant, Joseph & Co. He founded his own firm Mitchell & Co. in 2017.[3]

Political career

[edit]

Mitchell was elected leader of the National Democratic Congress party on 31 October 2021.[3]

Prime Minister of Grenada

[edit]

Mitchell's National Democratic Congress won the 2022 general election with slightly over 51% of the popular vote and winning nine out of the fifteen available seats.[6]

Mitchell reacted to the election victory by announcing that he would ask the governor-general, Dame Cécile La Grenade, to declare 24 June a national public or bank holiday so that "citizens can celebrate the liberation day and the victory that they have created for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique".[7]

On 24 June, Mitchell was sworn in as the ninth prime minister of Grenada, succeeding Keith Mitchell (of no relation).[8][9][10] He pledged to end nepotism in the Grenadian society and reform the electoral system.[11][12] He took the additional portfolio of Minister of Finance of Grenada and created a new Ministry called the Ministry of Mobilization, Implementation and Transformation.[13][14] During his speech at the swearing-in of Ministers ceremony, he promised to pay teachers their withheld salaries.[14]

A supporter of Grenada becoming a republic, Mitchell said he hopes to see his country become one during his administration.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "ROTATION SCHEDULE FOR THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE CONFERENCE 1 JANUARY 2018 TO 30 JUNE 2025" (PDF). Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  2. ^ "NDC wins Grenada's General Election 2022". NOW Grenada. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Grenada election 2022: 10 Things to know about Dickon Mitchell". Loop News. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Live blog: Grenada votes election 2022". Loop News. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Graduates 2002". Hugh Wooding Law School. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Home - Grenada Elections 2022". elections2022.gd. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  7. ^ "PM-elect Dickon Mitchell to transform Grenada over next 15 years | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  8. ^ "PM Gonsalves Congratulates Dickon Mitchell On Election Victory - St Vincent Times". 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Grenada's new Prime Minister sworn into office, urges unity". jamaica-gleaner.com. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Dickon Mitchell sworn in as new Prime Minister of Grenada | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Grenada's new Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell sworn into office". CNW Network. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  12. ^ Government Information Service (GIS) (24 June 2022). "Swearing in of Prime Minister Designate Mr. Dickon Mitchell". Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Grenada: Mitchell sworn in as Opposition Leader | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News.
  14. ^ a b Correspondent, WIC News (1 July 2022). "Grenada: PM Dickon Mitchell declares new cabinet, keeps ministry of finance, national security". WIC News. Retrieved 10 July 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ Balla, Reemul (4 May 2023). "Grenadian prime minister 'hopes' country will become republic under his leadership". Sky News. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the National Democratic Congress
2021–present
Incumbent
Assembly seats
Preceded by
Oliver Joseph
Member of Parliament for St. David
2022–present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Grenada
2022–present
Incumbent
Preceded by Minister of Finance of Grenada
2022–present