President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday paid tribute to former Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary and diplomat Elizabeth Harper, who passed away.
In a Facebook post, Ali described Harper as “one of Guyana’s most outstanding citizens and foremost diplomats.” He said her career in the Foreign Service was marked by excellence, dedication and a steadfast commitment to advancing the nation’s interests.
Harper served as Permanent Secretary and later Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ali noted she was an “extremely knowledgeable diplomat, whose insights and experience enriched every sphere in which she worked.”
“As Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, she represented our country with dignity and distinction, earning the respect of colleagues across the region and beyond,” Ali said.
He added that Harper will be remembered “not only for her professional brilliance, but also for her engaging personality and the warmth with which she approached all those around her.”
“Guyana has truly lost an outstanding citizen, and our Foreign Service has lost one of its finest ever. On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend my deepest condolences to her family, relatives, former colleagues, and friends. Her passing is a monumental loss for our country, but her legacy of service, dedication, and excellence will continue to inspire generations to come,” Ali said.
Vice President Jagdeo also hailed Harper as a “distinguished diplomat and public servant who gave decades of dedicated service to our country.”
“I had the privilege of working closely with her during my presidency and witnessed first-hand her professionalism, wisdom, and commitment to advancing Guyana’s national interests,” Jagdeo said.
He recalled Harper’s role as the PPP/C’s prime ministerial candidate in the 2015 General and Regional Elections, where she brought “the same dedication and integrity that defined her career in public service.”
On behalf of the People’s Progressive Party, Jagdeo extended condolences to Harper’s family, friends and colleagues.
