TCI: Sakera Cook Appointed As Ministry of Home Affairs Head of Secretariat

#TurksandCaicos, April 13, 2018 – Providenciales – The Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Sakera Cook as the new Head of Secretariat within the Ministry of Home Affairs.  Mrs. Cook holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from Everest University formally Florida Metropolitan University.

Having recently returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands from the United States of America, where she functioned in a diverse variety of settings, including as a Gateways Vacation Specialist with Jet Blue Airlines; Benefits Advisor at Aon Retiree Health Exchange in Orlando, Florida and as a Financial Advisor at SunTrust Bank in Orlando, Florida, which included ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements including Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC, USA Patriot Act, Privacy Act and Community Reinvestment Act; Mrs. Cook took up a temporary post in the Ministry of Health Contract Management Unit some months ago before being formally appointed to the post on Head of Secretariat on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018.

Mrs. Cook prides herself as being a highly-motivated and driven individual, known for her professionalism, leadership, organizational skills, passion and dedication to any task and is married and is the mother of two daughters.

Commenting on her appointment Mrs. Cook said;  “I’m profoundly grateful and honored to be selected for this position and to be a member of a dynamic team in this ministry in particular and the public service in general.  My gratitude is of course extended to all of those persons who supported and guided me throughout my personal, academic and professional journey.  I am determined to use my skills and experiences to ensure that this ministry is as strong as possible and ultimately to do whatever is best for my beloved country.”

Deputy Governor Anya Williams in congratulations Mrs. Cook said;  “We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Cook to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service and to congratulate her on her new role.  The post of Head of Secretariat is a very important role that covers a wide range of responsibilities particularly in a dynamic ministry such as the Ministry of Home Affairs which is responsible for Social, Gender, Prison, Fire, Disaster Management, Communication and other services.

“As Head of Secretariat, Mrs. Cook will be responsible for coordinating the political and administrative interfaces between the Minister and Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Home Affairs and will be responsible coordinating the secretariat function in the Ministry, which includes liaison between the Permanent Secretary and Minister, and between the Permanent Secretary Board, Cabinet, and House of Assembly for the purpose of progressing the business of the Ministry through the political and administrative processes.

 “There is a requirement to review and keep track of issues coming to the Permanent Secretary and Minister from the House of Assembly, Ministry, TCIG and outside , to assist in the preparation of responses to parliamentary questions and the preparation of media and other releases and to also maintain a database of policy and legislative plans and proposals within the Ministry amongst numerous other duties.

“Mrs. Cook has demonstrated a keen interest in and knowledge of the responsibilities of her new role and we wish her well.”