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​COVID-19 has claimed the lives of three more women.

​The first victim was 61 years old. She died at the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on November 26; while a 94-year-old woman passed away on November 27 at the AED. Both were unvaccinated.

​The third casualty is a 70-year-old woman, who died at the Harrison’s Point Isolation Facility on November 28. She was partially vaccinated.

​The death toll from the virus is now 228.

​Acting Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, has extended condolences to the bereaved. (BGIS)

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The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory has recorded 114 new cases (47 males and 67 females) of COVID-19. There were 845 tests conducted on Sunday, November 28.

Twenty-six individuals are under the age of 18, and the other 88 are 18 and older. There are 463 persons in isolation facilities and 2,734 in home isolation.

The number of lives lost to COVID-19 has moved to 228, following the deaths of three women, aged 61, 70, and 94.

Since the start of the pandemic, Barbados has recorded 25,152 confirmed cases of the viral illness, comprising 11,991 males and 13,161 females. The public health laboratory has carried out 435,366 tests.

To date, 153,576 persons (67.2 per cent of the eligible population) have received their first dose under the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19.

A total of 136,750 others (50.5 per cent of the total population, or 59.9 per of the eligible population) are fully vaccinated. The eligible population represents those persons who are 12 years and older. (BGIS)

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Owners of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises have been advised to acquaint themselves with the tenets of corporate governance.

Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerrie Symmonds, made this suggestion while delivering the feature address at the virtual Barbados Stock Exchange’s 9th Annual Conference on Corporate Governance and Accountability, recently.

The Minister told his virtual audience via Zoom that corporate governance was a key plank in transforming economies, and it was necessary to familarise entrepreneurs with the “esoterics and the expectations of what corporate governance is about”.

Mr. Symmonds also expressed his disappointment at the “stunning” level of unwilliness to confront the deficits in corporate governance practices in Barbados across all levels of the economy and in some firms.

He continued: “Instinctively, when we speak to corporate governance, we think of legislating laws; we think of rulings of the court; we think of rulings or directives of regulators, and that is fine.

“But there are, however, a number of other things which firms have direct and independent control over, and which the private sector sometimes seems to expect that they can stand sanctimoniously apart from and I would want to deal with that latter aspect of this concern that I have first.”

The Small Business Minister commended those members of the private sector who contributed to the existing anti-corruption legislation.

“The legislation, which we just passed, imposes penalties against both the public official and against the private person who sought to bribe a public official, and using the traditional example that raises its head in Barbados is the public official being bribed in order to get access to a government-funded contract,” he stated.

Mr. Symmonds contended that a culture of non-tolerance for bribery and corruption should be encouraged to achieve proper corporate governance practices.

“I sincerely believe that we are at a stage in our development that we have to begin to accept that we have underestimated the capacity that we have to deal with and overcome some of the obstacles and challenges that are existing out there that impede our growth and development,” he said. (BGIS)

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A senior government official has reiterated Government’s intentions to honour commitments made at the international level to addressing areas of concerns raised regarding human trafficking.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Attorney General, Yvette Goddard, highlighted Government’s efforts in this regard, while delivering remarks at the virtual closing ceremony for Advanced Human Trafficking Training.

The training was held under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development funded CariSECURE project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, recently.

She told her audience that the National Action Plan of the National Task Force against Trafficking in Persons, headed by Attorney General Dale Marshall, was recently approved by Cabinet for a two-year period.

The plan, Ms. Goddard said, was developed under the four Ps: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership, to guide the response to Human Trafficking and the 3Rs of Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of victims.

The Permanent Secretary added: “It shows Barbados’ commitment to addressing issues of concern, such as identification of victims and/or potential victims of trafficking; strengthening of the national referral system, which is intended to provide a range of social and legal services to support victims, and undertaking an extensive public education programme to sensitise and educate Barbadians to issues related to human trafficking.”

Apart from training law enforcement and border control officials, the judiciary and members of the Task Force, Ms. Goddard informed that the National Action Plan also speaks to fostering stronger regional and international partnerships to incorporate best practices and standards in the island’s response to this crime.

In thanking the local and overseas partners and international agencies for funding, designing the training and providing the trainers, the senior official said the training session builds on an earlier session held in August this year for 51 members of the Royal Barbados Police Force.

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Police are on the scene of a fatal accident involving a motorcycle and two vehicles at Bush Hall, St Micheal.

(More details as they come.)

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After 396 years, the sun has finally set on the last vestiges of British colonialism as Barbadians awoke to a new dawn as the world’s newest republic.

At midnight Tuesday – the very moment 55 years ago – when Barbados became an independent sovereign nation, it transitioned from a Commonwealth realm to a parliamentary republic and Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, the last viceroy, was officially sworn in as the republic’s first president.

The British Crown, under whose possession the island was declared in 1625 in the name of King James I, was finally decoupled from the sovereignty of Barbados after four centuries through the epochs of colonisation, slavery, emancipation, internal self-government, federation and finally, Independence.

“I, Sandra Prunella Mason, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Barbados according to law, so help me God,” President Mason declared, as she recited the oath of office.

The ceremony unfolded on a clear night in the capital city, Bridgetown, with intermittent drizzles and the whiz of drone cameras above scores of dignitaries on the parade square. Many would-be watchers voiced loud frustration with being restricted from Heroes Square which was framed by the floodlit Parliament Buildings and old Treasury Building.

In her first address to the republic, President Mason declared that for decades, debate and discourse raged on about whether the critical step should have been taken, but on this occasion action had been taken.

She said: “Since independence, our heroes and our humble citizens, our crews and passengers have built international reputations, anchored in characteristics, our national values, our stability, and our successes, drawing on the lessons of those intervening years, possessing a clear sense of who we are and what we are capable of achieving. In the year 2021, we now turn our vessels bow towards the new republic. We do this so that we may seize the full substance of our sovereignty.”

Prince Charles, the guest of honour for the historic celebration was cast in the symbolic role of an outgoing Head of State, as the heir to the British throne and future Head of the Commonwealth witnessed the loss of another Commonwealth realm, the first such transition in more than 30 years. Barbados will remain a member of the 54-nation Commonwealth.

He urged the Barbadian people to make “freedom, justice and self-determination to be their guides’’ as he pledged the United Kingdom’s dedication to “close and trusted partnership”.

Referring to the “appalling atrocities of slavery” which “forever stain” the joint history of the British and Barbadians, the prince praised the people of Barbados for forging their own path.

“Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon,” he said. “Madam President, as your constitutional status changes, it is important to me that I should join you to reaffirm those things that do not change.”

The Prince of Wales underscored the two country’s continued partnership under the Commonwealth, the club of all but one of Britain’s former colonies and dominions.

He concluded: “Tonight, you write the next chapter of your nation’s story, adding to the treasury of past achievements, collective enterprise and personal courage, which already fills its pages. Yours is a story in which every Barbadian, young and old can take the greatest pride, inspired by what has come before them and confident about what lies ahead. As we will sing tonight, you are the guardians of your heritage, firm craftsmen of your fate.”

The night of celebrations that started at 7 p.m featured debut performances from the National Youth Steel Orchestra and the Nicholas Branker-led Republic Band along with the Barbados Landship and a parade of puppets and ancestral deities.

With the arrival of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the celebration took on a much more solemn character. But cheers erupted from the crowds kept on the fringe of the capital’s centre around 11:30 when Mottley, Prince Charles and minutes before midnight, President Mason stood for a march past.

At midnight, the country was officially declared a republic and three minutes later, Mason was installed president of Barbados by Chief Justice Patterson Cheltenham and conferred the Order of Freedom of Barbados.

Prime Minister Mottley, Chief Justice Cheltenham,  Attorney General Dale Marshall, Barbados Defence Force Chief of Staff Commodore Errington Shurland, and Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce, all took the newly rewritten oath of allegiance to Barbados “according to law”, instead of to “Queen, her heirs and successors”.

The night also included fireworks displays over Bridgetown and in three other strategic points in the east and north of the island.

(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)

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Construction magnate Sir Charles Othneil Cow Williams was on Monday remembered as a visionary businessman with a deep loyalty to Barbados and the Caribbean.

Relatives and friends of Sir Charles who died on November 19, at age 88 at the Bayview Hospital, gathered at the St James Parish Church to bade farewell to one who rose from humble beginnings to become the country’s largest private owner of land and the founder of C.O Williams’ Construction.

Prominent businessman Ralph Bizzy Williams told those who attended the service both in person and online, that his older brother who was almost ten years his senior, loved and lived life to the fullest.

Williams said the two of them grew up at Foster Hall, St John on the first piece of land that their war veteran father and Christian mother owned. He said that he, Sir Charles and their seven siblings’ upbringing on the family farm where they all assisted, prepared them for their later lives.

An emotional Williams recalled that he shared a special bond with Sir Charles from the days he accompanied him as a wingman as he searched for a wife in their younger years until he went to England in 2000 to witness him being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to national development. Their bond, he noted, grew even closer in the last three years.

Williams said that an industrious Sir Charles, who pioneered construction, mining, dairy farming, horticulture, agriculture, housing, electrical contracting and more, began to build his empire with two old bulldozers which their older sibling imported.

He said it was his brother’s vision that played a significant role in developing Warrens into the commercial centre it has become.

“As my brother won contracts and started businesses across the Caribbean going nonstop as he always did, he always took us along with him. So, our Williams Industries Companies got work and when our teams won contracts and did developments, his companies got work. We never competed against each other, in business or in sport.

“I guess that was because both of us hated losing, so one of us had to lose if we were competing against each other. He loved horses, polo and fishing. I loved racing, sailing and cruising on my boat with family and friends. Ours was a relationship based on unconditional love for our families and our country Barbados,” Williams said.

He said not for one second did he ever dream that he would receive hundreds of messages from persons of all walks of life, races, political persuasions and religious denominations, as countrymen expressed appreciation for all that Sir Charles has done in his lifetime for the people of Barbados and the Caribbean.

“This love and goodwill and Sir Charles will redouble the motivation of his and my successors to continue building and doing all possible to continue moving the earth to please as we all work to build a stronger Barbados and a united Caribbean nation. Sir Charles’ son Teddy and his support team are very capable.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, in a recorded video on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, said though Sir Charles was a small man in stature height, in reality, he was a colossus; a giant of a man in every field.

Mottley said Sir Charles who was as Bajan as flying fish and cou cou, was down-to-earth even though he walked with princes, bowed before queens and enjoyed success in business. But the Prime Minister said those who were fortunate to catch Sir Charles in his home or away from the glare of the camera, found him to be just as any ordinary citizen.

Mottley said Sir Charles wanted to see his projects moving along swiftly, but he was not impatient because he was haughty or uncaring.

“In fact, it was the opposite. Sir Charles was in the business of making money, yes, but when he spoke of his projects, his dreams, his plans, it was always in terms of how many jobs they would create and how much foreign exchange it would earn and how the society would benefit.

“And that came I believe from walking the journey of Independence, which was effectively the journey of his adult life. He was all about Barbados, he was about the welfare of Barbadians. He knew his employees by name, something where others would do well to look at. He knew where they lived, he knew their families, he knew their children,” Mottley said.

Meanwhile, Sir Richard Cheltenham said his friend Sir Charles was loyal to friends and family, was generous, unselfish and a good judge of character.

Sir Richard, who worked with Sir Charles in a legal capacity, said the colourful and outspoken construction magnate whose pioneer development projects dominated the Barbados landscape, was not always right, but he was most often right in his judgements because he paid attention to people rather than just to paper details.

He said that in the course of a long, successful life and career, Sir Charles also suffered major setbacks and failures along the way, but would persevere undeterred and confident that eventually he would succeed.

“In the end, his confidence outweighed his setbacks significantly. I suppose that that is why his motto was, the road to success is always under construction. He was civic-minded, looking to the best interest of the country and its people even sometimes to his own detriment.

“Many may not know that in the highway expansion project the Government had stopped paying him after a while. Instead of downing tools like others would have, Sir Charles decided that he would do it for Barbados and for the country’s development. In the end, he suffered a serious loss but I do not think he regretted it.

“It was part of his active patriotism as a proud Barbadian which he demonstrated again and again in many ways over his lifetime. One of the ways in which he has done this is reflected in the many donations of both money and land which he gave for the public good,” Sir Richard said.

He also noted that the construction magnate felt great pain when he was forced to send home staff due to the recession. He said Sir Charles, who at times was stubborn and impatient, was never stuck up or elitist and treated everybody with the same unfailing courtesy and respect.

Rector of St James Parish Church, Reverend Beverley Sealy-Knight spoke about how Sir Charles loved that church and noted that they shared a relationship based on mutual respect and care as he allowed her to be his pastor and his friend.

Sealey-Knight said even when showing signs that he was experiencing discomfort, because of his stubbornness, he showed up, even if it was on Tuesday because he missed the Sunday service. She said he made his way to the altar without fail to receive the blessed sacrament and never failed to make his financial contribution.

“The other thing I must share about Sir Charles was his gentleness, an attribute all should possess and especially the Christian. The world can be ruthless; indeed, it is a ruthless place to live in and hostile environments appear everywhere. In order for the individual to survive the times, there must be those oases to be found where there is refreshment for the mind and for the soul.

“In those moments when a person experiences kindness and gentleness from others, it is like a soothing and healing balm. And I saw that gentleness in Sir Charles as he took the time to talk with others of this community, as he took the time to share. . .One of the fruits of the holy spirit is gentleness,” Reverend Sealey-Knight said. anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb

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World-renowned Barbadian superstar singer, actress, fashion designer and businesswoman, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty has been added to the pantheon of National Heroes of Barbados in a shock announcement by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

At 33 and the world’s richest female musician, the Westbury Road native, recognised at home and around the globe as Riri, would join the world’s greatest cricket allrounder, the Right Excellent Garfield Sobers, 85, as the only living national heroes of Barbados.

In the ceremony to declare Barbados a republic, Mottley declared that it was her government’s judgement that it was appropriate to send a strong signal to the world.

As Rihanna sat on the dais of dignitaries that included the Prince of Wales and heads of state and government from throughout CARICOM, the Prime Minister said: “Just as within one mile of this space from Bridgetown there is a national hero by the name of the Right Excellent Sir Garfield St Aubyn Sobers, born of humble origins, but capable of capturing the imagination of the world by being the greatest of all time in cricket that we too have on the other side of Bridgetown, born less than one mile from here too and from humble origins, catching a ZR from Combermere School.

“But above all else, commanding that imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence, with her creativity, her discipline and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth, pursuant to clause B of the schedule. And, having satisfied that Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty has given service to Barbados which has been exemplified by visionary and pioneering leadership, extraordinary achievement and the attainment of the highest excellence that is redounded to the honour of Barbados, my Government has the distinct honour of recommending to the president, who has kindly and graciously accepted that Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty tomorrow morning shall have conferred upon her the order of National Hero of Barbados.”

Mottley noted that in addition to Rihanna, several nominations came in for new national heroes that are also be installed by National Heroes Day next year.

The Combermere School sixth former, who was plucked from anonymity by an American producer, has risen to become of the best-selling recording artists of all time with over 250 million records sold and a net worth of US1.7 billion ($3.4 billion). The honour for Rihanna comes three years after she was made Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary by Prime Minister Mottley.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb

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More than half of the 88 awards in the Independence Day Honours of the new republic announced Tuesday have gone to key figures in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

And among the seven individuals who received a new rank of highest national honours to mark 55 years of independence are the COVID-19 leadership team of seven who share the Order of Freedom of Barbados.

Topping the list for that same honour is Dame Sandra Mason for being the first President of the Republic.

The visiting heir to the British throne and future Head of the Commonwealth, Prince Charles, who witnessed the island’s transition from a realm to a republic within the Commonwealth received the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados. The award is in recognition of his support for the efforts of developing countries in the area of climate change and sustainable development and fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship among young people globally.

The members of the COVID-19 leadership team who will share the apex honour include Minister of Health Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic.

The other team members being recognized for their “committed, untiring and outstanding leadership” during the COVID-19 pandemic are Head of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on COVID Senator Jerome Walcott, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George, Head of Quarantine Facilities Dr. Corey Forde, Director of the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory Dr Songee Beckles, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Janet Phillips and Alies Jordan, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Also honoured with the Order of Freedom of Barbados are veteran hotelier Peter Odle for “committed and outstanding contribution to tourism and the hospitality sectors and civic duties”; former Barbados and West Indies cricket opening great Desmond Haynes; prominent businessman Bertram Hall and multiple calypso monarch Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire for his “enduring contribution to music, the arts, entertainment and culture in Barbados and internationally”.

The second highest honours went to five people for their distinguished national achievement and merit, including former President of the Senate Rudolph Cappy Greenidge, Anthony Pickering, Nisha L. Hiramand Thani, John Richard Alleyne and Juliet Skinner.

The Gold Trident of Excellence was also conferred on five Barbadians, including Peter Adonijah Alleyne for his distinguished contribution to culture and journalism and church leader Reverend Vincent Wood.

Among the five individuals who have been given the Silver Trident of Excellence honour is Secretary of the Muslim Community of Barbados Sulieman Bulbulia for his commitment to seeing Barbados become a place of inclusivity and mutual respect.

Responding to his award, Bulbulia said he was “extremely grateful, thankful to the Almighty, to my parents, my wife, my daughters and son, my brothers, my friends, the community I serve and my country”.

He continued: “I am humbled to be given this National Honor and so sorry my father couldn’t be here to witness this moment.”

Broadcaster Larry Mayers has also been conferred with this national honour for his long and distinguished career in broadcasting and his passion for community engagement, which led to the birth of the popular Q in the Community.

The new Gold Award of Achievement honours 48 people for their extraordinary service to the country on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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On the last day of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) nine senior officers were Monday promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police in the Barbados Police Service.

As of Wednesday, the new appointments will take effect for Sonia Boyce, Barry Hunte, Adrian Broome,  Timothy Springer, Lesteal Woodroffe, Paul Lynch, Stephen Herbert, Winston Holder and  Ricardo Phillips.

The officers were presented with their letters of appointment by Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce;  Deputy Commissioner Erwin Boyce; Assistant Commissioners Sylvester Louis, Ian Branch and Antonio Forte, Acting Assistant Commissioners John Maxwell and David Griffith at a brief ceremony at Police Headquarters.

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The grieving mother of 27-year-old Shanice Millar who died last weekend after being stabbed in Bridgetown is seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death.

Ohara Millar is still in a state of shock after witnessing her daughter’s lifeless body on a hospital bed. She told Barbados TODAY that as much as she would love to see Shanice alive again, she is longing to find out why she was stabbed about the body.

“All I could tell you is that I hear that it is something that happened sometime last year. And just so I hear that ….got out a taxi and attack my daughter. The police ain’t talk to me yet. The police say they will come today and talk to me. I ain’t too sure what went out.

Around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, police were called to Upper James Street near its junction with Synagogue Lane in Bridgetown following reports that two females were involved in an altercation.

Millar of Kensington New Road, St Michael, received multiple injuries to her body. The injured woman fled the scene on foot toward Central Police Station and collapsed at the main gate. An ambulance was summoned to the scene and transported her to the QEH for medical attention.

Medical personnel at the hospital said the woman underwent emergency surgery but subsequently passed away.

Millar said she was at home when she received a phone call from Shanice’s boyfriend informing her that she had just been stabbed in town. She said, a few minutes later, she got another call informing her that “Shanice dead”.

The mother said she immediately rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), where she was informed that a medical team was attending to her daughter who had lost a significant amount of blood. Four hours later, Millar was asked to go and “say my last to her”.

“They were trying to give her blood and her body wasn’t responding. She ain’t had no blood. All the blood in her body was gone. I couldn’t look at her. I just went inside but I didn’t go too close to her to touch her. She gone and left her daughter. A six-year-old girl that loves her mummy. She believes in her child, you know. She believed in her child,” Millar said, adding that she does know how to begin delivering the news to her grandchild that her mother is gone.

Millar, who said that Shanice went to town to purchase hair, also said that just around 8:30 a.m while at work, her belly started to hurt as though she needed to go to the bathroom and she started to get hot flashes.

“You know they say that the mother does feel it? I felt it for truth. I want answers. I want to know why she killed my child. My child gone and left me. She ain’t had no issues with nobody that I know about,” Millar said.

“I can’t believe that Shanice gone. I calling she sister and telling her to tell she [Shanice] come home. I want my daughter. I telling myself she gone down the road and coming back. She gone to work and coming back,” she added.

Forty-seven-year-old Millar described the second of her three children as a nice, caring, loving person who looked out for the wellbeing of those she knew. She said the former student of St George Secondary worked at the Geriatric Hospital and had a strong appreciation for doing hair and makeup.

“My sweetheart, the joy of my life gone. If I tell her I want $50 she would run and give it to me.”

Also visibly shaken over her untimely death is Shanice’s grandmother Audrey Millar who said she raised the young woman from a baby. The matriarch said that while she adored all of her grands, she shared a special bond with Shanice who had a caring personality. Audrey said Shanice was known for sharing with the homeless in and around The City.

The 73-year-old said the last time she saw her grandchild was last Friday when she saw her in the City. Audrey said at that time, she asked Shanice to buy her a sweetened beverage, but the young woman rejected, bought her a bottled water instead, and ordered her to immediately go home as it is still “COVID time”.   

“Don’t care how good you is, you will find somebody saying some bad thing about you. I know she is not that kind of child. She didn’t deserve what she get. But God is love. She resting in peace, let she rest. I hope the court deal with she and deal with she good too. But I want Shanice back, that is what I want back. I ain’t bring she and that is all, she was mine,” Audrey said.
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb

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I join you in glad celebration on the

occasion of the attainment of the fifty-fifth anniversary of our Independence as a developing nation state.

We are indeed a people blessed under the sovereign hand of God to whom we offer all gratitude. Our gratitude, as well, to all those who have gone before, men and women at all levels who have contributed, some in small ways, some in big ways, some in heroic fashion, but all in selfless ways to the building of this nation.

Our sense of celebration is heightened today because we also observe our first day as the world’s newest Republic. The Lord has been our faithful guide through all these years. May we give thanks to Him for the blessing embodied in all our leaders who have led us to this moment of constitutional and political advancement.

Let me early offer, on behalf of the Opposition, congratulations to Madam President, Her Excellency Sandra Mason, on her elevation to this High office as our first native Head of State in this new Republic. May I record our commendation to the Hon. Prime Minister and government for their appreciation of this, our moment in time as a maturing nation.

Over the last fifty-five years, our achievements in the area of democracy formation, governance and institutional development, law and jurisprudence, education, health and other social services, infrastructural development and economic advancement have been nothing less than stellar. May all of these platforms serve to propel us to new levels of achievement and excellence in our enhanced Independence experience.

Yet, this fifty-fifth year has seen us facing down persisting problems with respect to access to and the dispense of justice; some measure of institutional dysfunction and an apathetic disposition to some of our governance processes. And in this last year we have also seen challenges approaching crisis proportions, with traumatic impact upon our education, health and social services sectors, our infrastructural architecture and capacity, and on our economy. May our resolve to address these challenges take on a new robustness in these urgent times.

As we moved on today in our journey of Independence to the status of Republic, we did not raise a flag, since our national colours already fly their proud beauty and brilliance here at home and elsewhere in the major capitals of this world. The enterprise and excellence of a small population in this small space we call Barbados, are loudly and irrefutably spoken of by many who cast a glance at the quiet confident presence of those national colours both at home and abroad.

So we need not, and did not, raise a new flag today; but I would wish to encourage us to agree together to the following:

Let us raise our hands in applause resolutely to Him who has been our help in ages past and remains our best and ultimate hope for years to come.

Let us raise our voices in unapologetic praise to Him who has blessed us beyond our deserving.

Let us unabashedly raise our faith to take hold of that Hand upon which we must rely for leading in the new republic.

Let us raise our platform of standards and values to an even more elevated level, so that greater pride attaches to our spirit of industry; so that neighbourliness is afresh valued; so that moral rectitude is better expressed and reflected.

Let us raise our levels of productivity for He who has designed and created us, gave us dominion over our resources and commanded productivity. Higher levels of productivity will reduce our undesirably high levels of dependence.

Let us raise our heads, indeed ourselves, from a bowed posture of over-dependence on the costly crumbs that fall from the table of the economic masters of this world.

Let us today raise our vision to look with hope beyond the existing horizons of underemployment, of landlessness, of limited privilege, to a new emerging dawn of betterment.

Today I urge us:

To ponder what is possible when we each do our best in the interest of Barbados.

I urge us:

To pursue that which is worthwhile and enduring to our common good.

I urge us:

To position ourselves to take our place strategically in this world’s competitive and skewed market place.

I urge us:

To plant seeds of hope in the hearts of our offspring that will bear wholesome fruit in the life of our nation of tomorrow.

I urge us:

To proclaim with clarity our commitment to faith, family, freedom and fair play as the underpinning planks of the maturing nation edifice we are constructing.

I urge us:

To pray with faith and fervour for continued blessing on our leaders, our lawmakers and our land.

I urge us:

To pledge afresh our allegiance to our country Barbados and its flag, to uphold and defend their honour and by our living to do credit to our nation wherever we go.

Happy Independence Day to all. Safe and pleasant Republic Day celebrations.

The Leader of the Opposition

Bishop Joseph J.S. Atherley J.P., M.P.

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The celebration of the nation’s 55th anniversary of Independence, comes when it transitions into republican status. The labour movement shares the national perspective that this graduation is meant to consolidate the powers of sovereignty which are vested in the people and are exercised by the people.

The attainment of independence from the British government on November, 30, 1966, signalled that the decisive step was taken in moving the nation to a state of self- government. This basically gave the nation the right to self-rule and to control its own affairs free from external political control and impositions by another nation.

As a proud, developing nation, Barbados has continued to maintain a vibrant democracy, and has adopted a political system which prides itself on the promotion of the constitutional rights and freedoms of the individual, the right to vote, equality, non- discriminatory practices, the civic virtues practiced by citizens and the observance of the rule of law.

As the nation embraces independence sovereignty with that of being a democratic republic, it is expected that both present and future political leaders will continue to be guided by the need to respect the Constitution of the land. It is for them not to undertake to usurp the power vested in them by the people, nor to act in ways which constitute a breach of faith, trust and respect, and which violate the principles and practices of a

democracy whereupon arbitrary changes are enforced upon the people and the state.

As the nation transitions to the state of a republic, it is important that our leaders take heed of the fact that the power of government remains firmly in the hands of the people, always with the understanding that people give power to leaders they elect to represent them and serve their interests.

As a free and democratic society, Barbados is exceedingly proud of its governance structure, which is founded on the observance and respect for traditions, practices and the application of fairness. This spans respect for the laws of the land, the execution of justice and the promotion of the welfare of all irrespective of colour, class, race, religion or political persuasion.

Over the last fifty-five years, Barbados has attempted to operate in a manner that has been underpinned by transparency and openness. The transition to a republic should have no bearing on the way the governance system works. There must remain a sound commitment to observing the rule of law, maintaining the democratic form of government, adherence to democratic principles, observing transparency and accountability, maintaining proper checks and balances, and giving the citizens of Barbados free choice and control over their lives.

On this Independence Day, and as this island state of Barbados finally relinquishes its ties with the British monarchy as its political Head of State, Barbadians can now clearly acclaim that full independence from the mother country has at last been won.

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) warmly congratulates Dame Sandra Mason on assuming the role as the first President and Head of State of Barbados.

The labour movement lauds the Government of the day on finalizing the work started by the late Rt. Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, the nation’s first Prime Minister, Father of Independence and National Hero, towards ensuring that this nation’s full independence from the British Colonial Government is achieved.

Long live Barbados, and as the nation goes forward as a republic, may its people continue to echo the words of the national anthem: “We have no doubts or fears, upward and onward we shall go, inspired, exulting, free, and greater will our nation grow in strength and unity.”

Dennis De Peiza

General Secretary, CTUSAB

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There can be no denying that the last twenty-one months have been extremely challenging for the tourism industry. The chorus to our national anthem states, “These fields and hills beyond recall are now our very own.”  These words convey that our destiny is within our control. The resilience of our Barbadian people and the work that all players in the tourism industry have undertaken align with this.

In recent months we have observed increasing visitor arrivals, higher accommodation occupancies and the meaningful return of tourism activity such as the enjoyment of Friday night Bajan cuisine and cultural expressions at Oistins. The increasing tourism activity translates into more persons working in the tourism industry which provides for greater economic activity. The signs of the recovery are evident but the threat from COVID-19, complicated by the emergence of variants, signals that the road to recovery will be challenging and require our courage, determination and confidence.

The recovery of the tourism industry requires the continued collaboration among Government, the private sector and labour. We must deepen our dialogue at the Social Partnership and intensify our engagement with our varying constituent members as we work together with a greater purpose to overcome the many challenges that we must confront. In an environment which is unpredictable and where tourism destinations are all aggressively seeking to sway visitors to their countries, we must act in a timely and decisive manner.

Our source market tourism partners continue to inform us that Barbados is the number one desired destination in this region. This is reflected in the significant airlift which we have been able to attract back to Barbados. It is interesting to note that worldwide there has been a return of approximately 60 per cent of the 2019 global flights, while Barbados is realizing a return of more than 80 per cent of the airlift it had in 2019.

The UK and US airlift are significant with new airlift such as KLM Airlines out of Amsterdam, Aer Lingus out of Manchester and Virgin Atlantic out of Edinburgh. This is bolstered by flights of British Airways out of Gatwick and Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic out of Heathrow and Manchester, the American Airlines double daily out of Miami, JetBlue out of New York and Boston along with Air Canada and WestJet flights out of Toronto. The return of airlift to Barbados being higher than the global average demonstrates significant confidence in Barbados as a tourism destination.

The availability of seats is critical to the resurgence of the Barbados tourism industry, but the demand for, and the filling of these seats are vitally important. The loads on aircraft into Barbados are extremely high with many flights arriving completely full and several of these are from the UK and the US. There is also excitement related to the tourism potential with Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

As we endeavour to facilitate sustainable growth of our tourism industry, we must ensure that the new tourism growth opportunities are fully exploited. In the past ,we have focused heavily on the North American and European markets but there exists great potential in other regions of the world.

Additionally, with the further expansion of the tourism industry, it is also critical that we strengthen linkages with sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and the cultural industries.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, there have been numerous comments concerning the need to diversify the Barbados economy and to eliminate the heavy reliance on tourism. While diversification is welcomed and as we determine where those efforts will be focused, our tourism partners will continue to work to provide greater economic benefits to other sectors through strengthening linkages and greater collaboration.

Today, as we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence, we also change from a constitutional monarchy to a Republic. Barbados now has a Barbadian as our Head of State. This signals our continuing maturity and demonstrates the ability of Barbados to exercise full control of its destiny.

On November 30, 1966, the Union Jack was lowered and the Barbados flag with the vertical triband of ultramarine and gold, with the black trident head on the gold band, was raised. This signalled the birth of an independent nation, Barbados, and the severing of the colonial past.

As a Republic nation, we should expand our scope and vision to embrace a global perspective and recognise that our continued growth and development requires us to create new partnerships and deepen our relationships in countries and markets that we have traditionally not embraced as meaningfully as we could.

Today there are vast opportunities for our tourism industry and for Barbados. The convergence of possibilities for tourism and Barbados are accessible through the non-traditional approaches and the embracing of new methodologies and modalities. The potential for sustainable growth that fosters prosperity is possible but will not be achieved without the inclusion and participation of all Barbadians, regardless of their age, creed, gender or social standing.

In addition to the opening of new tourism markets and the focusing on green and blue growth to ensure sustainable tourism development, the development of human capital remains a critical and vital element necessary for the success of businesses.

Let us today, on Independence Day and as we begin the journey as a Republic, embrace change and be bold and courageous as we pursue the opportunities available for sustainable growth and ensure that there is inclusive development to the benefit of all Barbadians.

Today we express congratulations to Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, FB, GCMG, DA, SC on being sworn in as the first President of a Republic Barbados.

We also take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to the hard-working men and women in the tourism industry who every day give of their best to ensure that Barbados continues to be a destination loved and sought after by persons throughout the globe. The commitment and dedication of these persons along with the relationships which they establish and nurture, contribute significantly to the high repeat visitor factor we enjoy.

We also wish to recognise, acknowledge and say thank you to the COVID-19 front line workers for their continued dedication and steadfastness in the fight against this pandemic. We are indebted to each of you for your commitment and sacrifice.

To all Barbadians, friends and visitors, we wish you a Happy 55th Anniversary of Independence. May God continue to bless our nation and our people as we pursue the positive transformation and development of our beautiful island home.

Senator Rudy Grant,

CEO -Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association

The post Barbadians urged to be bold and embrace change appeared first on Barbados Today.

A new chapter in history’s pages is now being written.

It began at midnight with the declaration of Barbados as the world’s newest republic.

President Dame Sandra Mason was, for all intents and purposes, the first to write a line in this new chapter as she took the oath of office at National Heroes Square just minutes after midnight.

“In the year 2021, we now turn our vessels bow towards the new republic. We do this so that we may seize the full substance of our sovereignty,” the President declared as the island transitioned from a monarchy to a parliamentary republic.

This history was written in view of ordinary Barbadians and scores of dignitaries, including Prince Charles who was a guest of honour for the historic celebration.

The Prince of Wales, next in line to the British throne, urged the Barbadian people to make “freedom, justice and self-determination to be their guides” as he pledged the United Kingdom’s dedication to “close and trusted partnership”, even as Barbados’ departed from the British realm.

He lauded the people of Barbados for forging their own path. 

“Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon. Madam President, as your constitutional status changes, it is important to me that I should join you to reaffirm those things that do not change,” added Prince Charles. 

“Tonight you write the next chapter of your nation’s story, adding to the treasury of past achievements, collective enterprise and personal courage, which already fills its pages. Yours is a story in which every Barbadian, young and old can take the greatest pride, inspired by what has come before them and confident about what lies ahead.” 

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham,  Attorney General Dale Marshall, Barbados Defence Force Chief of Staff Commodore Errington Shurland, and Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce all took the newly rewritten oath of allegiance to Barbados “according to law”, instead of to “Queen, her heirs and successors”.

Barbados starting November 30, 2021 – the island’s 55th Anniversary of Independence – as a republican nation was the culmination of a celebration that started a stone’s throw away at Independence Square, at 7 p.m. the night before. It featured the newly-reconstructed National Youth Steel Orchestra and the creme de la creme of Bajan talent, including Biggie Irie, TC, Edwin, Peter Ram, who performed with a band under the leadership of musical director Dr Nicholas Brancker.

This article appears in the November 29 edition of the Independence publication. Read the full publication here

The post The new Republic appeared first on Barbados Today.

Barbados’ road to Republicanism represents the completion of an important cycle in our development as an independent country among the global family of nations.

The pathway which was established by former Prime Minister and National Hero, The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, is being completed 55 years later by The Right Honourable Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

On November 30, we become the world’s 53rd former colony of Great Britain to become a Republic, and unabashedly claim our national sovereignty, losing the symbolic strings that tie us to our former colonial master.

It is not only emblematic that we enter this new phase on this anniversary of our Independence from Britain, but it represents a singular show of strength and confidence in ourselves as a people, that we undertake this transition in spite of one of the most traumatic periods in the history of the world.

We have, as a nation, sought to manage numerous challenges that have converged during the COVID-19 pandemic to create a most uncertain period.

The brothers and sisters of the Credit Union movement and their representative body, the Barbados Co-operative and Credit Union League (BCCUL), are proud to mark the historic occasion and to pledge our continued support of the economic, financial, social, and educational development of our country.

As with most seminal changes in the life of a nation, not all our citizens will respond in the same vein and at the same time. It is expected that there will be diverging views, and they ought to be respected.

We too in the credit union movement have successfully managed our various stages of growth, allowing all views to contend respectfully, but carefully managing the processes and sensitising our membership to the benefits and risks that may occur along the way.

There is no doubt that over the past 55 years of our independence, we have been forced to manoeuvre through many treacherous periods of economic and social malaise. However, on each occasion, it has been our inimitable Barbadian spirit of pride and determination that has propelled us.

We are presently facing one of the most challenging stages in our recent history and it has caused us to lean on all our powers of resiliency. The pandemic has taken lives and has brought significant pain to our livelihoods as individuals, institutions, and corporate entities.

We do not know what the future portends. What we are sure about, however, is that as a nation we are fortified in the belief in our capacity to confront whatever comes before us in the measured, confident, and surefootedness for which our people have been known.

To the leadership and people of Barbados, the Credit Union movement across the island, salutes our nation on this historic transition to becoming a Republic.

Hally Haynes, President of The Barbados Co-operative & Credit Union League Limited

The post We must be confident in our new republic appeared first on Barbados Today.

World-renowned Barbadian singer, actress, fashion designer, and businesswoman, Robyn Rihanna Fenty has been declared the newest national hero. 

In a surprise announcement at the republic transition ceremony, Prime Minister Mia Mottley declared that it was her government’s judgment that it was appropriate to send a strong signal to the world. 

“Just as within one mile of this space from Bridgetown there is a national hero by the name of the Right Excellent Sir Garfield St Auburn Sobers, born of humble origins, but capable of capturing the imagination of the world by being the greatest of all time in cricket that we too have on the other side of Bridgetown, born less than one mile from here too and from humble origins, catching a ZR from Combermere School,” said Mottley. 

“But above all else, commanding that imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence, with her creativity, her discipline and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth, pursuant to clause B of the schedule. And, having satisfied that Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty has given service to Barbados which has been exemplified by visionary and pioneering leadership, extraordinary achievement and the attainment of the highest excellence that is redounded to the honour of Barbados, my Government has the distinct honour of recommending to the president, who has kindly and graciously accepted that Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty tomorrow morning shall have conferred upon her the order of National Hero of Barbados,” the Prime Minister added. 

Mottley noted that in addition to Rihanna, many nominations came in for new national heroes that will also be installed by National Heroes Day next year. (KS) 

This article appears in the November 29 edition of the Independence publication. Read the full publication here

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Barbados’ transition from a constitutional monarchy to a parliamentary republic has rekindled a decades-old discussion about the legacy of the country’s first prime minister and the father of independence, The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.

At a superficial level, a fierce debate is raging about whether the timing of the highly touted transition, on the eve of Independence, was deliberately intended to somehow tamper with Barrow’s legacy. 

In an attempt to provide total clarity, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has promised that far from trying to erase Barrow’s legacy, her administration’s intention is to complete it. 

“We are trying to finish what [Barrow] would have wanted to finish if circumstances allowed him in 1966,” she said. 

There is, however, a deeper discussion to be had about the extent to which the events around November 30, 2021 truly represent the completion of Barrow’s legacy, particularly his famous warnings about loitering on colonial premises. 

Retired Professor Pedro Welch, a celebrated historian, explained that Barrow emerged at a period in which Barbadians were in need of more wide-ranging social reforms than existed during the tenure of Sir Grantley Adams as Barbados’ premier. 

And, with the newly founded Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Barrow immediately led the country to independence with a system that introduced a fully democratised system of education, improved healthcare systems, and the introduction of a comprehensive social security scheme. 

“My understanding of the legacy is that Errol Barrow was a visionary who put in place structures and systems that have positioned Barbados to be where it is,” said Professor Welch. 

“When we received the designation as the number one developing country in the world, not under his administration but later, it was really built on what he had put in place. I am thinking immediately of such things as the expansion of secondary education to the masses. Before that time, many of the persons who attended secondary schools probably would not have been able to attend the better placed secondary schools and many of them would have left secondary schools probably at about age 14 or 15. Things changed,” the historian declared. 

The prioritisation of social and economic development ushered in a new Barbadian middle class. 

This has led many to wonder why the political leader’s spirit of self-determination never led him to fully immerse the country in the republican experience, especially given the British monarch’s legacy of oppression in the country. 

“Basically, most people do not read our history carefully. The fact is that Errol Barrow understood that the public of Barbados were not yet fully able to make the transition that would come later,” Professor Welch explained.

“He knew that it would take a process of education and development. When he made the point that we should not loiter on the colonial premises anymore, he was really speaking about a vision for the future, and when he asked the question, ‘what kind of mirror image we have for our lives?’, he was really speaking very loudly of a vision for change. 

“There are some people who might think that he took us only so far and no further. The fact, however, remains that if you look at the Constitution of Barbados, the Independence Order… it had, embedded within it, a place for what I may call parliamentary supremacy,” the academic said. 

It was this doctrine of parliamentary supremacy, Professor Welch said, that has allowed PM Mottley to make the necessary transition, with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. 

“That’s why we did not need a referendum to go towards republican status. And whilst a referendum would have been useful, and I honestly think it would have been very useful to gauge the public’s view, the fact remains that Errol Walton Barrow put in place the mechanisms that we use today. The mechanisms that led us to make the change to the Governor General’s designation, all of that was built, in principle, on what Errol Barrow gave us in 1996,” he contended. 

“I would think that were he alive, this transition would not have caught him back-footed. He would have embraced this. The very movements towards [the Caribbean Community] CARICOM, after [the Caribbean Free Trade Area] CARIFTA, demonstrated that he was willing to push the boundaries of our then existence and push us toward greater things. I have absolutely no doubt that were he alive, he would embrace change. The only thing I think he would have insisted on is a greater involvement of the public of Barbados in the discussions leading toward the change,” added Welch. 

He was also adamant that the republic transition is “absolutely not” the culmination or end product of Barrow’s legacy. On the contrary, the historian explained that with much-needed constitutional reforms and governance structures still lingering, there was still a lot of work to be done. 

“In fact, I believe that the result of our last election…in which the Democratic Labour Party only won two seats and the one where the BLP [Barbados Labour Party] was limited to three seats in Parliament, that tells us that we need a system of proportional representation of some kind and there are ways of doing it,” Welch declared. 

“We need a system where every single political party will have a stake and a share in our governance and the people, by extension, would have a stake in our governance as well. So, I do not believe that the promulgation of a republic is the end of anything. I think it is really just the start of an evolutionary process that I expect will continue in the future,” he concluded. 

This article appears in the November 29 edition of the Independence publication. Read the full publication here

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A young woman, aged 28, died from COVID-19 on Monday, November 29.

She was unvaccinated and succumbed to the viral illness at the Harrison’s Point Isolation Facility.

Her passing brings the death toll from the virus to 229

Acting Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, has extended condolences to her family and friends. (BGIS)

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