Gone too soon. Yet she has left us with a legacy that will inspire many more to emulate her career. This column was supposed to be focused on the new cabinet. But the passing of a Guyanese diplomatic icon changed the focus.
On Saturday, September 13, as President Irfaan Ali prepared to swear in his cabinet, and as Guyanese eagerly awaited to see who the ministers were in President Ali’s new Government, news went viral of the passing of Elizabeth Harper, who had only days before demitted office as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Harper crafted a legendary career as a diplomat, and her passing has left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill. For almost fifty years, while many passed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elizabeth Harper came through the ranks to be one of the most admired foreign affairs professionals. We pay tribute to her sterling contributions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to her country.
To say that Elizabeth Harper was a genuine Guyanese woman of worth somehow still does not appear to encapsulate the value of her contribution to her country. Somehow it seems like we need something else to describe how valuable Elizabeth Harper really was to Guyana. Our country has truly lost a resource, one that would be deeply felt, one that would take us a long time to recover from. Now that she is no longer with us, we will not just miss her; we will find out that in her quiet efficiency and effectiveness, Elizabeth was an institution all by herself.
While not a politician, having served most of the Presidents of Guyana, her worthiness caused Donald Ramotar to request she stand as his prime ministerial candidate in the 2015 elections. While reluctant to enter the political sphere, Ms Harper accepted the call, seeing the opportunity to serve her country at an even higher level.
We find it easy to forget that Ms Harper was a long-standing ambassador to CARICOM. She performed her duties as Guyana’s ambassador to CARICOM with competence and effectiveness, without flair, quietly representing Guyana at CARICOM, remaining in the background as others took the limelight. In the end she remained as one of Guyana’s most distinguished, most respected and most admired ambassadors. She blazed a trail, and dozens of her cadets will carry on her work; her legacy will be their inspiration.
Throughout it all, she was a role model for hundreds of young foreign officers whom she mentored. One of the greatest tributes to Elizabeth Harper is the multitude of foreign officers serving in and out of Guyana for whom Elizabeth Harper remains their north star. Young and experienced foreign officers alike prayed for the return of Ms Harper when she was forced to be away from work because of sickness. When she returned after a period of sickness, these foreign officers celebrated her return. Elizabeth Harper was a trusted reservoir of knowledge and support for these officers. Today, as we prepare for her funeral, these officers grieve because they truly have lost a genuine friend.
Elizabeth was always a formidable presence, but with a deceptive humility and quietness. She got the work done without fanfare, always with a smile. She did not seek the limelight, but her work was always noticeable, always respected and admired.
She served in all the most important positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Up to almost her passing, Elizabeth served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, she served as the Director General of the Ministry. As we have alluded to before, she was a long-serving ambassador to CARICOM. She also served as Guyana’s non-resident high commissioner to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and St Kitts and Nevis (2001-2015) and as director of the Department of the Americas and Asia (1996-2001), counsellor at the High Commission in London (1991-1995), and head of the Frontiers Division (1990-1991). But outside of serving in these important senior positions, Elizabeth Harper came through the ranks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having started as a clerk in the Registry Department.
Although very sick for a long time, she continued to serve her country. President Irfaan Ali and his Government recognised that her contribution, even when limited by her illness, was not just valuable but needed. She soldiered on when it would have been easy for her to give up. It was her dedication, loyalty and love for her country that kept her going. Elizabeth gave her all for her country. Sickness tried to curtail her service to her beloved Guyana, but she served with unswerving dedication almost to the end.
Elizabeth Harper personifies love for country and excellence. As a public servant, Elizabeth Harper stands tall and remains a role model. For almost 50 years, Elizabeth Harper served with distinction, regardless of who was the President or who was the minister of foreign affairs. Her service was for her country. While her country grieves for her today, her country and her sisters and brothers will forever celebrate her life and her story. Her Guyana story is one that future generations will learn about, and they will be proud that we had a public servant like Elizabeth Harper.
I knew Elizabeth for decades, as we both served as public servants. She was one of the most humble and friendly public servants and humans. We shared a personal friendship and often called each other to simply ask, “How are you doing?” I will miss Elizabeth Harper. Guyana will miss Elizabeth Harper. But in our grief we will celebrate the life of a genuine Guyanese woman of worth.