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Melissa Gumbs: Party for Progress leader and Education Minister

A profile of Melissa Gumbs, co-founder and leader of the Party for Progress, Member of Parliament from 2020 and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport since November 2024.

By SXM Daily ·

Melissa Gumbs has been Sint Maarten's Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) since 26 November 2024. She leads the Party for Progress (PFP).

Party for Progress

In November 2019 Gumbs, as party leader of the new Party for Progress, submitted its list of eight candidates for the January 2020 snap election, The Daily Herald reported; she headed the list. She received 559 votes in that election, according to SXMElections, and entered Parliament for the PFP. The Daily Herald continued to report on her as a PFP MP in 2023.

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport

The PFP joined the coalition behind Prime Minister Luc Mercelina's second cabinet. Governor Ajamu Baly's list of ministers sworn in on 26 November 2024, published by Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties, names her as Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. The Daily Herald also reported her appointment.

What the role involves

The ECYS ministry is responsible for schools, culture, youth affairs and sport on the Dutch side of the island.

Sources

  • https://dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl/2024/11/26/kabinet-mercelina-ii-ingezworen/
  • https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/new-council-of-ministers-to-be-sworn-in-november-26
  • https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/mp-de-weever-finds-new-political-home-with-pfp
  • https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/new-party-pfp-submits-list-of-eight-candidates
  • https://sxmelections.com/party-for-progress/gumbs-melissa/1137/politician.aspx

Source: https://dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl/2024/11/26/kabinet-mercelina-ii-ingezworen/

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