PARAMARIBO--Suriname’s new Minister of Natural Resources Sergio Akiemboto has been landing praise since his swearing-in last week Thursday, when he publicly took ownership of a past domestic controversy to promise his best performance during his tenure.
Just before being sworn in by the President, Akiemboto started off by saying that transparency and honesty should prevail for anyone who wants to serve the community as a leader.
“Ten years ago, I hit the woman that I was with then, who I am married to now. She filed a police report against me. … We forgave each other and got married. But it had always disturbed me in the back of my mind. So when I was offered this position I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to take it. I felt like I had to spare the president and the people the embarrassment. But I could not let something from my past keep me from doing this important job. So I am now publicly asking her and the public to forgive me,” he said. It prompted cheers of amazement.
Akiemboto, formerly the Chief Executive Officer at government-owned mining authority Grassalco, is one of four new ministers sworn in by President Desi Bouterse on Thursday; also incoming were André Misiekaba at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Housing, Vijay Chotkan at the Ministry of Public Affairs and Rabin Parmessar at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries LVV. They will replace four ministers who have been sent home in recent weeks.
President Bouterse was visibly impressed with Akiemboto’s acknowledgement of his past mistake. He thanked the religious leaders who helped change the new minister’s mind, as well as his wife. “He has proven again to be a role model for young people,” said Bouterse.
