George Brizan
Encyclopedia
George Ignatius Brizan, CMG
, CBE
(born October 31, 1942) is a Grenadian
political figure who served as the Caribbean island nation's Prime Minister for four months in 1995. He moved to the top post in February, upon the resignation of Nicholas Brathwaite
, and remained in office until Keith Mitchell
was inaugurated on 22 June.
Following studies in Economics, History and Education, George Brizan began public service as a teacher at the venerable Grenada Boys' Secondary School
(GBSS) and later as vice-principal of the Institute for Further Education (IFE). On several occasions he was called upon by governments to serve in various capacities particularly in the areas of trade and development
. At various times in his long and illustrious career, Brizan served as a Trade Union leader, Economics, History and Education Lecturer and even a Sports Announcer/Commentator in the island's annual inter-collegiate track and field competition. Brizan has the distinction of working for or consulting with every Grenada government since the late 1960s. And when he became a consultant in the Ministry of Finance in the Keith Mitchell administration, he became and remains the only former Prime Minister to work for another, successor government. A prolific author, Brizan authored one of the seminal works on Grenada's history, Grenada: Island of Conflict. Brizan has been instrumental in guiding and serving as a role model for hundreds of Grenadian students over the years. Indeed, it was not uncommon for students to declare a desire to be a "Brizan" (i.e. Economist/Historian) as their career goal. That Economics remains one of the most popular courses of study for Grenadian students is a testament to Brizan's influence.
Brizan formed and led the National Democratic Party, which later merged with the Grenada National Party (led by Herbert Blaize
) and the Grenada Democratic Movement (led by Dr. Francis Alexis) in August 1984 to create The New National Party
(NNP). In April 1987, Brizan went into opposition and founded the National Democratic Congress
(NDC). He was subsequently succeeded as NDC leader by Nicholas Brathwaite
. Braithwaite became Prime Minister following the NDC victory in the 1990 election, and Brizan served in Braithwaite's Cabinet as Minister of Finance before being moved to the post of Minister of Agriculture on April 27, 1992. In both of these positions, he additionally held the portfolios of Trade, Industry, Production and Energy.
After Braithwaite resigned from the party leadership in July 1994, Brizan was elected as NDC leader at a party convention on September 4, 1994. He then became Prime Minister upon Brathwaite's resignation from that position on February 1, 1995. In addition to serving as Prime Minister, he took responsibility for the portfolios of External and National Security, Home Affairs, Agriculture, and Personnel and Management.
The NDC was beaten in the June 1995 general election
, and Brizan resigned from the party leadership and active, front-line politics after the NDC suffered a more severe defeat in the January 1999 general election
, failing to win any seats. Brizan remains a highly sought-after Economic and Politic expert although he is semi-retired due to pressing health issues.
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born October 31, 1942) is a Grenadian
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
political figure who served as the Caribbean island nation's Prime Minister for four months in 1995. He moved to the top post in February, upon the resignation of Nicholas Brathwaite
Nicholas Brathwaite
Sir Nicholas Alexander Brathwaite was the prime minister of Grenada from 1983 to 1984 and from 1990 to 1995.Brathwaite was born in Carriacou, Grenada. Following the 1983 invasion of Grenada, Brathwaite, a member of the National Democratic Congress, was appointed by Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon...
, and remained in office until Keith Mitchell
Keith Mitchell
Keith Claudius Mitchell is a Grenadian politician who served as Prime Minister of Grenada from 1995 to 2008. He was the longest serving Prime Minister Grenada has ever had, serving just over 13 years as Prime Minister...
was inaugurated on 22 June.
Following studies in Economics, History and Education, George Brizan began public service as a teacher at the venerable Grenada Boys' Secondary School
Grenada Boys' Secondary School
-Origins:The Grenada Boys’ Secondary School , initially known as the St. George’s Grammar School was scheduled to commence officially in January 1885; however, because of “unforeseen circumstances” it was not officially opened until Monday, February 02, 1885 at “Mrs...
(GBSS) and later as vice-principal of the Institute for Further Education (IFE). On several occasions he was called upon by governments to serve in various capacities particularly in the areas of trade and development
Trade and development
Trade is a key factor in economic development. A successful use of trade can boost a country's development. On the other hand, opening up markets to international trade may leave local producers swamped by more competitive foreign producers.-Overview:...
. At various times in his long and illustrious career, Brizan served as a Trade Union leader, Economics, History and Education Lecturer and even a Sports Announcer/Commentator in the island's annual inter-collegiate track and field competition. Brizan has the distinction of working for or consulting with every Grenada government since the late 1960s. And when he became a consultant in the Ministry of Finance in the Keith Mitchell administration, he became and remains the only former Prime Minister to work for another, successor government. A prolific author, Brizan authored one of the seminal works on Grenada's history, Grenada: Island of Conflict. Brizan has been instrumental in guiding and serving as a role model for hundreds of Grenadian students over the years. Indeed, it was not uncommon for students to declare a desire to be a "Brizan" (i.e. Economist/Historian) as their career goal. That Economics remains one of the most popular courses of study for Grenadian students is a testament to Brizan's influence.
Brizan formed and led the National Democratic Party, which later merged with the Grenada National Party (led by Herbert Blaize
Herbert Blaize
Herbert Augustus Blaize was a Grenadian politician and leader of the Grenada National Party. When Grenada was still a British Crown Colony he served as the first Chief Minister from 1960-61, and again, from 1962-67. He became the first Premier of the autonomous Associated State of Grenada briefly...
) and the Grenada Democratic Movement (led by Dr. Francis Alexis) in August 1984 to create The New National Party
New National Party (Grenada)
The New National Party is a conservative political party in Grenada. It is led by the Leader of the Opposition, Keith Mitchell.The party was founded in August 1984 through the merger of the Grenada National Party, led by Herbert Blaize, the National Democratic Party, led by George Brizan, and the...
(NNP). In April 1987, Brizan went into opposition and founded the National Democratic Congress
National Democratic Congress (Grenada)
The National Democratic Congress is a liberal centre-left political party in Grenada. Tillman Thomas is the party's leader, Nazim Burke is its deputy leader, and Peter David is its General Secretary...
(NDC). He was subsequently succeeded as NDC leader by Nicholas Brathwaite
Nicholas Brathwaite
Sir Nicholas Alexander Brathwaite was the prime minister of Grenada from 1983 to 1984 and from 1990 to 1995.Brathwaite was born in Carriacou, Grenada. Following the 1983 invasion of Grenada, Brathwaite, a member of the National Democratic Congress, was appointed by Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon...
. Braithwaite became Prime Minister following the NDC victory in the 1990 election, and Brizan served in Braithwaite's Cabinet as Minister of Finance before being moved to the post of Minister of Agriculture on April 27, 1992. In both of these positions, he additionally held the portfolios of Trade, Industry, Production and Energy.
After Braithwaite resigned from the party leadership in July 1994, Brizan was elected as NDC leader at a party convention on September 4, 1994. He then became Prime Minister upon Brathwaite's resignation from that position on February 1, 1995. In addition to serving as Prime Minister, he took responsibility for the portfolios of External and National Security, Home Affairs, Agriculture, and Personnel and Management.
The NDC was beaten in the June 1995 general election
Grenadian general election, 1995
General elections were held in Grenada on 20 June 1995. The result was a victory for the New National Party, which won eight of the 15 seats. Voter turnout was 61.7%.-Results:...
, and Brizan resigned from the party leadership and active, front-line politics after the NDC suffered a more severe defeat in the January 1999 general election
Grenadian general election, 1999
General elections were held in Grenada on 18 January 1999. The governing New National Party of Prime Minister Keith Mitchell was re-elected after winning all 15 seats. Voter turnout was 56.5%.-Background:...
, failing to win any seats. Brizan remains a highly sought-after Economic and Politic expert although he is semi-retired due to pressing health issues.
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.