“That Is My Sister”: Ella Waight Defends New RECONDEV Chair

The government’s overhaul of the Reconstruction and Development Corporation (RECONDEV) board has replaced Chairman Brian Mira, but the changes are already drawing questions after several directors were retained and new political appointees joined the board.

Myrna “Tibby” Weight, a retired educator, now heads RECONDEV following the Prime Minister’s directive to overhaul RECONDEV. 

Waight previously served as RECONDEV’s Deputy Chair and sits on the National Women’s Commission. She is the daughter of former PUP Cayo South Area Representative Samuel Waight and considered a PUP supporter.

Her sister, National Trade Union Congress President Ella Waight, rejected claims that Myrna is connected to the Mira. She told XTV, “The chair now is my sister. My sister, Myrna Waight. No, she’s not married,” Ella said. “She is not married to anyone. She is a retired teacher from Belmopan… daughter of Samuel Waight.”

When pressed about any connection at all with the Mira family, Ella said, “I’m not sure if she [Myrna] campaigns for Mira, but I know she’s a part of the women’s group, the People’s United Women group.”

Ella added that replacing an entire board would remove valuable institutional continuity, stating, “As far as I know, the board did not do anything wrong.”

Returning directors include Belmopan Mayor Pablo Cawich, who is an ex officio member, Lysandra Berbey, Wilfredo Galvez and Cedric Borland. 

The new members are George Castro, Carla Bradley and Director of the Government Press Office, Michael Rudon.