Paula Mae Weekes on selection as President: I’M TERRIFIED

President-elect Paula Mae Weekes yesterday confessed to feeling, “completely terrified”, upon hearing the news that she was chosen as new Head of State.

Minutes before this confession, House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and Senate President Christine Kangaloo presented Weekes with the Instrument of Election, the formal confirmation of the Electoral College’s nod on January 19, to Weekes ascension to the Presidency, having been the sole nominee.

While Parliament staff yesterday reiterated that Weekes would take no personal questions, the last question allowed in a six-minute question slot asked how she felt upon being chosen. “I can tell you that apart from feeling honoured and humbled, I felt completely terrified. And that terror has not yet abated,” Weekes said.

As it was the final question allowed, reporters could not press with a follow-up query as to the source of this terror. Earlier, a reporter asked what Weekes hoped to bring to the job of President. “Somebody sent me a question, I believe it was one Sean Douglas: ‘what do I think I bring to the table?’

“I thought about it and thought about it. And my eventual answer is, cutlery to deal with matters on my plate, a basketful of the fruit of the Spirit and grace before meals,” she said.

Asked what, if any issues, she would like to help highlight, Weekes replied, “I don’t know. I can’t say right away, because there are so many issues and each of them takes their prime place given what is happening at that time. But I certainly am concerned like every citizen with crime, a particular interest I suppose because all of my career I have spent in criminal law.” She expressed concern also with young people and the positions they will occupy in this developing society. “So I think to start off, leaving room for anything else that may step into the spotlight, I think youth and crime are my immediate concerns.” Asked if it is hard to get people to take up public appointments, Weekes replied, “Well undoubtedly. Clearly it has been a challenge. To see yourself in the public eye, especially given today’s climate and the media plays a part, makes people shy away from this.

“I don’t know how far moral suasion will go. I’ve been know to turn an arm or two and if I need to turn an arm or two to get the best persons for the best fit, I’m going to give it my effort.” Asked about a delay in cases in the judiciary, she said that was not her remit and she would only make a comment if an appropriate occasion arises for her to do so.

“While I’m concerned like every other citizen and particularly as a former judge, I think that I must not get ahead of myself, and stick within my boundaries.” Asked if class and contacts pose a danger in the making of public appointments, she saw it as a concern.

Earlier, after receiving her instrument, Weekes hailed Annisette-George and Kangaloo as not being strangers to her but as sisters in the law. “I first met Madam Speaker in the heady days of Cave Hill, and Madam President when we both served in the Judiciary. We have three women in the room. Without tokenism, we have women holding high offices and discharging them.”

Earlier, in presenting the instrument, Annisette-George told Weekes, “Thank you for offering yourself for service. Your election, to many, many young women shows women can achieve anything.”