I have never been a politician before.
This is the statement made by former high-ranking officer in the Ministry of Finance Dennis Cornwall who believes that the time has come for him to try and enter the island’s Parliament to serve at the highest level in the country.
Cornwall who said he is an economist by profession has been selected by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be its candidate for the rural St. Patrick East constituency in the upcoming general elections.
The former Deputy Director-General for Budget and Fiscal Policy in the Ministry of Finance is trying to unseat the incumbent, former school principal, Pamela Moses who serves as a Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.
In an exclusive interview with THE NEW TODAY, the Cuban-trained economist said he was confident that he can win the seat for Congress as part of “the wind of change” that is currently blowing in the country politically.
There are reports that a community leader in River Sallee who has been linked to the ruling New National Party (NNP) over the years, has decided to throw his support behind Cornwall based on family ties.
Following is an edited version of the interview conducted with Cornwall on Monday:-
NT: I heard something and I say that I will come to hear it from the horse’s mouth. I hear that most likely you will be the candidate for the National Democratic Congress in St Patrick East for the upcoming general election.
Someone mentioned that to me – and what do you have to say? I also heard that you might be resigning from your job today (Monday) to run for NDC.
Cornwall: That is not entirely accurate that I am resigning my job effective today. I have intention of actually informing my employers that I have intention of probably getting involved in frontline politics. I have not given them that information as yet.
NT: When are you planning to do that?
Cornwall: I will say once the information from the National Democratic Congress has confirmed that I am indeed the candidate for that particular constituency then and only then I will be able to give you further information on that matter. Right now the process is still ongoing and I couldn’t give you that information before the process is completed.
NT: Any timeframe based on your discussions with them?
Cornwall: Yes, it should happen this week.
NT: So we should be getting some kind of official announcement? We understand that you are the only person in line.
Cornwall: I was also told that too. That is the information given to me but as I said there is a process that has to be completed and unless it is completed I would not want to make any pronouncement because I don’t want to jump the gun.
NT: What would have influenced you to get involved in frontline politics at this stage?
Cornwall: I have been in the system for quite a while. As you know I served at various levels within the Ministry of Finance many years ago. I also served at a regional level as I worked with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank which is based in St Kitts. In that job at St Kitts I used to interact with various financial institutions throughout the OECS beginning with Anguilla in the north to Grenada in the south – all the 8 OECS countries.
On returning home in 2016, I took up a job with this company that I am with now, Grenreal. I think the time has come that I can basically serve my country at a higher level. I think that I had the exposure and the experience to make a contribution in a positive way in my homeland.
I am Grenadian, I live here, and I am known and recognised throughout the region and therefore I believe it is an opportune time to basically move ahead with my next step in life in terms of being a politician in a real sense.
I have never been a politician before – as a professional and someone who worked both in the private and public sector, I think I have sufficient experience and knowledge to make a run for the politics and to be part of the change that is taking place in Grenada at this time.
NT: I understand that you are from River Salle, the heartland of the constituency.
Cornwall: Yes, I am. I was born in River Sallee and I lived there until I was age 18 or thereabouts then I took up a scholarship to the Republic of Cuba back then when the PRG was in office. I spent 7 years in Cuba and I did a Master’s in Economics – so I am an economist by profession.
My working experience has been an educator in 2-levels – at the primary school in River Sallee and MacDonald College in Sauteurs before moving to the Ministry of Finance where I basically held some positions there including Director General/Permanent Secretary for 6 months.
My substantive post when I left the public service was Deputy Director General, Budget and Fiscal Policy. I have also managed the Public Debt during the 90’s for the Government of Grenada – that’s both the domestic and external debt.
I was sent for training through the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in those days to deal with the public debt.
NT: How do you fancy your chances against the NNP candidate in the constituency? Are you hopeful, optimistic that you can pull it off?
Cornwall: I am very optimistic. I just have to put in the required work on the ground with the people in the constituency to ensure that I actually reach out to everyone, show them that I can be the voice for the constituency and to make sure that I actually serve the people of Grenada at a higher level.
NT: We heard that you might have been doing some work there quietly in recent times…
Cornwall: Yes I have done some work on the ground from behind the scene.
NT: Ok. Thank you very much – and all the best.