Harry Ganoo, brother of Minister Alan Ganoo, appointed as Ombudsperson

The elder brother of Foreign Affairs Minister Alan Ganoo has been appointed as the new Ombudsman.

Harry Ganoo’s appointment was validated by the President of the Republic, but has triggered a wave of outcry on social media.

A former head of the civil service and ex-Secretary to Cabinet, Harry Ganoo worked under four Prime Ministers until his retirement in 2006.

He was named President of the Civil Service College in 2020.

He is also the brother of Dalida Allagapen who retired as Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health soon after the scandal of 999,000 pills of Molnupiravir erupted.

Defi Media reported that Harry Ganoo has accepted his nomination. He will first have to be sworn in before a Supreme Court judge before taking office.

The Ombudsman, who holds a constitutional post, can investigate into complaints against Government Institutions and seek redress to injustice if any, sustained in consequence of any alleged maladministration that may have been committed by any public officer or authority in the exercise of administrative functions.

The term of office of the Ombudsman is four years but he may be re-appointed.