Suriname has added Dr. Jeniffer Simons in the hall of fame

On July 6th, 2025, Suriname took a leadership path rarely travelled by. The South American country elected its first female president.

Now, the most important question on a Surinamese mind is, ‘Will a woman make a difference?’

Suriname as a country has already crossed the ‘only-men-rule’ bridge. On the other hand, Dr. Jeniffer Simons has only taken the first step towards a future in which women become great leaders besides men.

How far will she take Suriname? How great will she make Suriname? Will she make a real difference? Will she prove that women can be as good as men, and in her case, better than men?

As an observer, I think Suriname has huge undeveloped potential. Both human and other natural resources have not yet broken ground to emerge and transform Surinamese lives.

Given how small a population Suriname has, about seven hundred thousand people and how vast and rich the country is, 4 times bigger than Netherlands — my impression is that, Suriname should be among the richest happy countries in the world,

The big problem almost every other country is struggling with, Suriname does not have. I’m talking about scarcity. All resources are abundant and easily accessible.

Suriname can produce food surplus anytime they decide to. They’ve vast fertile lands. They’ve hundreds of flesh water rivers, lakes, and an ocean.

Suriname can become a leading mineral resource producer in the world. I.e. oil and gas, and other mineral resources.

The new incoming president must capitalize on this potential, and transform Suriname.

Otherwise, there will be no difference between male and female leaders.

Electing the first female president is victory for Suriname as a country. Using her election to transform Suriname into a high developed country will be victory for Dr. Jeniffer Simons.

Whereas Suriname has made history by electing her, she is yet to make her own history. And that is transforming Suriname in the five years of her leadership.

The count down will begin on 16th July. On this historical day, Dr. Jeniffer Simons will be sworn in as the president of the Republic of Suriname.

Where will she drive Suriname? And how fast will she be driving?

We’ll see.