The Kevin Andrew Haynes murder case will continue in the High Court on Wednesday.

Haynes, of Jordan Road, Belleplaine, St Andrew, is accused of murdering Rahim Ward between August 23 and 30, 2019.

When the trial continued before the jury and Justice Christopher Birch on Tuesday, Police Constable Ross Phillips told the court he was stationed at the Northern Police Division and assisted Acting Inspector Feliston Gilkes with the investigation of the discovery of Ward’s body at Walker’s, St Andrew.

Phillips went on to testify about two interviews conducted with Haynes.

In the first interview, the constable recounted the responses to questions posed to Haynes by Acting Inspector Gilkes. According to PC Phillips, the accused stated that he was present “that night . . . when everything happened”.

“I was on the spot when these fellas came up there. One had a gun . . . I was defending myself. I opened fire . . . I pulled the trigger. One fella run off and the other drop down.”

When asked where “on the spot” was, PC Phillips said Haynes spoke of an area where marijuana trees were located. He said the trees were behind the house of a man who was on the spot with him.

In addition, the constable recounted Haynes stating that he was the one who shot one of two men “that night” and took him “up a hill to hide him . . . because he was dead”.

According to PC Philips, Haynes said the man who was there with him assisted with “placing him in a crack in the hill”.

“I put lil mud over he,” PC Phillips recounted Haynes saying; adding that he used a “shovel and peck” to do so.

Phillips went on to say that Haynes admitted the weapon he had was a spin barrel gun which he hid under a shed where marijuana trees were.

When asked why he was in the ‘spot’, Haynes said he was “breezing” and had the gun to protect himself and the marijuana trees. Haynes, however, said he did not know anyone was coming to steal the marijuana trees but knew of some being stolen “a couple months before”.

In a subsequent interview, PC Phillips disclosed that Haynes said he could not give any information regarding any “spot” because he “wasn’t there”.

In response to questions regarding a shooting, shovel, peck, gun, shed or burial of anybody, Haynes said he was “intimidated” and he “did nothing so”.

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A 36-year-old bar manager appeared before the District ‘A’ Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday charged with stealing almost $20 000.

Dwight Johnson, a Jamaican national, was not required to plead to theft of $19 666 belonging to Vedat Tok on July 16. The charge is indictable.

Sergeant Randolph Boyce objected to bail for the accused, informing the court that Johnson had no legal status on the island and there were concerns that he would abscond as he was arrested at the airport.

The prosecutor also pointed to the strength of the evidence against the accused.

In response, defence lawyer Jade Kennedy — appearing in association with attorneys Michael Lashley KC and Sharessa Dottin —  told Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes that Johnson had no prior convictions and was the sole provider for his children in Jamaica.

That bail application was unsuccessful.

Johnson was remanded to make his next court appearance on August 20.

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A key figure in the Democratic Labour Party at the centre of its internal power struggles has withdrawn his lawsuit challenging the suspension of party president Dr Ronnie Yearwood and general secretary Steve Blackett.

Longstanding member Ricardo Williams told Barbados TODAY: “I decided to withdraw from the case, with the hope that we as a party can settle this dispute, once and for all. I am a firm believer in democracy; and that was the major reason I decided to go to the court initially to settle the dispute.”

With this announcement, made hours after the DLP stalwart and the other warring side appeared in the High Court, Yearwood and Blackett, currently on suspension, insisted that all no-confidence motions must now be withdrawn.

But it remains to be seen if other party stalwarts, including Blackett himself, would walk away from their motions and counter-motions challenging both the elected leaders and the men who replaced them.

Williams said: “We cannot allow any institution in Barbados, and certainly not the Democratic Labour Party, to operate outside of the confines of democracy. The president, Ronnie Yearwood, and the general secretary, Steve Blackett, were elected and re-elected by the members of the Democratic Labour Party; and they can only be removed by the members of the Democratic Labour Party with a vote.

“They cannot be bulldozed by a few people fighting for power. It just cannot happen. Democracy must prevail in Barbados. It has to prevail,” Williams insisted as he ended the lawsuit against interim president Andre Worrell and acting general secretary Pedro Shepherd.

The call for withdrawing the no-confidence motions was made on Tuesday by the suspended president Dr Yearwood and general secretary Blackett, the latter having himself filed a confidence motion in support of his boss and a no-confidence motion against Political Leader Ralph Thorne, the Leader of the Opposition.

Earlier, attorney Neil Marshall who represented Worrell and also spoke on behalf of attorney Hal Gollop’s client, acting general secretary Shepherd, embraced Williams’ position that the matter be resolved internally.

“There are no winners or losers in this entire episode and if there are any winners, the winners we expect will be the people of Barbados who can now resign themselves to the party itself addressing and dealing with the issues that they are expected to deal with as a mature political party,” Marshall declared.

Thorne who was in Parliament when he received the news of the lawsuit’s withdrawal, said he hoped the action would now lead to a speedy mending of fences within the opposition party.

“We hope that the organs of the DLP will arrive at a resolution that will restore pride and dignity to His Excellency, Mr. Errol Barrow’s party,” Thorne told Barbados TODAY.

“It is ironically significant that I was in Parliament, because I have always reserved my political energies in defence of the people and in defence of the DLP at the parliamentary and national level, being always aware that the people’s and party’s business should be given priority over any internal dispute that did not affect the price of bread, the safety of the citizens, the infelicities in government, nor the moral abuse of our children in a cultural abyss.”

“The question of leadership,” he said, “was for me never a matter of contention. The Constitution of Barbados describes me as Leader of the Opposition and the constitution of the DLP describes me as Political Leader. I never sought more than that and I never sought to disturb the law.

“Apart from being political leader, I am an ordinary member of the General Council and I will continue to serve in those capacities,” he stated.

The opposition leader pledged to continue to put the case for the DLP as a credible alternative government.

He suggested that the party must now express “deepest” gratitude to Worrell, Shepherd and Annette Wood for managing the party’s administrative affairs “during this turbulent period”.

While Shepherd also holds a no-confidence motion over Yearwood’s head, the veteran party member who lodged the first one against the president, general secretary and the entire party executive disclosed on Tuesday that any decision to withdraw his would depend on a ruling by the general council regarding the status of his resolution.

Hartley Reid, who in April filed a no-confidence motion against Yearwood, Blackett and the executive council, said now that the court has accepted Williams’ decision to withdraw his legal action, that case will now join his to go before the general council.

“It reverts now over to the general council, where the general council now has to decide on my position,” Reid told Barbados TODAY. “The general council has already set up the disciplinary committee, and the disciplinary committee is to look into the complaint brought against the same two gentlemen, the president and the general secretary.

“So, I have not heard any word from the general council relative to my no-confidence motion. So, fortunately or unfortunately for me, this coincides with coming to the end of the year, and the conference is for September. So, I do not know how quickly or how long the disciplinary committee is going to take to deliberate over the issue with the president and the general secretary. So, I don’t have any action to take until I hear officially, from the general council as to my vote of no-confidence.”

But the president and general secretary were adamant that going forward, all such motions must be taken off the table.

The party’s public relations officer, Stacia Browne, relayed the leaders’ message that all no-confidence motions must be withdrawn, not just Blackett’s. “All the no-confidence motions…you would know there were more than one no-confidence motion that was on the table. All of them would have to be withdrawn…A-L-L, all,” she declared.

Pressed to specify the source of this message, she replied: “It’s coming from the party…it’s coming from the leadership of the party, Ronnie and Steve, the leadership of the party.”

Political scientist Peter Wickham believes that if Blackett were to withdraw his no-confidence motion, it could lead to a resolution. He suggested that coupled with the withdrawal of the court action, the removal of the no-confidence motion would start the DLP on a path of being able to challenge the ruling BLP.

“Overall, it’s good for the DLP,” Wickham told Barbados TODAY. “I think it will help to refocus the DLP’s energy on trying to get the party back together. I do note that they have taken aim at the Barbados Labour Party in all of this, notwithstanding. But I do feel that they need to look internally and put their house in order, get some candidates in place, get some public pronouncements regarding their own internal position; and thereafter they can take on the Barbados Labour Party in due course.”

The pollster welcomed the decision by Williams to take the legal challenge off the table and to deal with their divisions internally.

“My sense,” Wickham said, “is that the muscularity of the language initially has given way to a reality to suggest that this is really a political and not a legal matter, again, consistent with my own views, and it should be treated as such. I also note that there has been some indication that Steve Blackett, who to my mind, is a huge part of the problem, has taken a slightly different position and has resigned himself to, one could say, a junior role in the whole matter.”

He argued that Yearwood’s presidency of the Dems could be “salvaged” by his performing an administrative role.

“I think that the other key players which would be Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne and his group can be harnessed in terms of taking the Democratic Labour Party forward. So, my sense is that they do have an opportunity now. We need to hear from Steve Blackett regarding his own vote of no-confidence…an attempt to remove the opposition leader. And if that is withdrawn, if that is resolved, and if he decides to take the path of least resistance, my feeling is that there can be a mending of fences.” (emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)

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Connect Caribe, a private-sector-led ferry service, is on course to begin operations in the last quarter of this year, with plans to create significant employment opportunities across the region.

The announcement came during a stakeholder consultation forum at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, where Chairman and CEO Ambassador Andre Thomas briefed reporters.

Ambassador Thomas confirmed that preparations are progressing as scheduled: “We have taken some significant steps. We have actually identified the ships. Obviously, the ships have to go through ship inspections, and we are much closer to determining the exact date that we would want to launch, but it’s going to be in the last quarter of this year.”

The initiative, launched in January, aims to streamline maritime operations and promote trade facilitation across the Caribbean. Ambassador Thomas revealed that the project’s first phase would generate 185 jobs, with recruitment efforts already underway. “We have a recruitment fair tomorrow [Wednesday], and I think we have 450 people actually coming. So that’s good; we have already begun to interview people, and we’re going to have to do this… because it’s the headquarters, but we also have to recruit across the region as well,” he explained.

The consultation forum served as a platform to refine the business model and address policy-related logistical issues. Ambassador Thomas emphasised the importance of collaboration with CARICOM’s private sector organisation: “We want it to deliver optimally. We want microbusinesses; we want small businesses, middle-sized businesses, and conglomerates. We want families. We want people who are travelling. We want the region to be impacted by it.”

Regarding the development of service platforms, Dr Thomas announced: “The cargo platform is really ready to go. In fact, we’re now presenting proprietary software that we’ve developed to be able to deliver this across the region.”

He also highlighted progress in e-commerce solutions: “We actually have a panel that’s totally dedicated to that because today we have some solutions that are going to be shared… In fact, one of them, you’re actually going to see the first carried dollar transaction being done actually going into a bank account.”

The CEO expressed satisfaction with stakeholder engagement, describing it as “wonderful” and “excellent”. He emphasised the importance of demystifying the project for all involved. “The key players that need to be in this room are in this room, and it’s our plan to do this across the Caribbean, every country, every major country that we’re going to.”

Using a football analogy to describe the logistical challenge ahead for the firm, Ambassador Thomas explained: “We are a box-to-box midfield company; we are for the transition. Get the ball to the attacking third; that’s what we’re doing. Box to box, okay midfield. There are other players involved, so what we’re seeking to do is bring all the other players into the room, and all the other players are in the room. And so that’s what we’re seeking to do,” he explained, using a soccer analogy to describe the collaborative effort required.”
(RG)

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As Kamala Harris stands on the brink of potentially becoming the first Black woman and person of Caribbean descent to be elected President of the United States, we believe it is a moment of profound significance for the entire Caribbean region. We wholeheartedly support Harris’ candidacy, recognising the transformative impact her leadership could have on US-Caribbean relations and the global stage.

For West Indians especially, the vice president’s journey is deeply resonant. As the daughter of a Black Jamaican immigrant, her rise to the highest echelons of American politics exemplifies the resilience, ambition, and excellence that have long defined the Caribbean diaspora. That she is the daughter of an Indian mother only further intertwines her story with our multiracial, multicultural history where African, Asian and European currents have commingled for generations. Her success shows that our heritage is not a limitation but a strength on the world stage.

Vice President Harris’s policy positions align closely with our own pressing concerns. Her unwavering commitment to combating climate change is crucial for Barbados, in the face of the existential threat of increasingly severe hurricanes, extremes of heat and drought and other dreaded phenomena. We have no truck with the cave-dweller’s climate denialism of her Republican Party challenger. Harris’s advocacy for environmental justice and sustainable development echoes Prime Minister Mottley’s passionate calls for global action on climate change. Under President Harris, there would be no retreat into a selfish America-only stance that threatens international order, peace, security, reparative justice and the bid to save our climate from cataclysm.

Moreover, her focus on social justice, healthcare reform, and economic equality reflects the values our social democratic politics cherish. Her efforts to protect reproductive freedoms resonate with our commitment to rights and freedoms in a nation where medical termination of pregnancy has been recognised in statute law as a women’s sacred right and a public health necessity for the past 40 years.

As a sovereign island nation since 1966, a young republic since 2021 and a parliamentary democracy of ancient heritage, where self-determination has been the hallmark of governance since 1651, Barbados stands to benefit significantly from Harris’s foreign policy and international relations positions. The old truism that Republican administrations tend to benefit Caribbean nations has since 2016 been reduced to a disingenuous trope. We can confidently anticipate even stronger ties with Washington, potentially opening new, mature avenues for trade and commerce, cultural exchange, and mutual cooperation, particularly in the maintenance of peace and civil security. Her support for comprehensive immigration reform is particularly relevant for many Barbadian families with relatives in the US – among the GOP’s current targets for mindless “mass deportation”.

We are encouraged by the broad support Harris has already garnered within an otherwise unruly Democratic Party, sparked by President Joe Biden’s gracious exit from the nomination process and enthusiastic endorsement of his vice president, followed by the swift pledges of support from key party figures and would-be rivals. This widespread backing underscores her readiness to lead and her ability to unite diverse constituencies – a skill that will be crucial in addressing the complex challenges facing Washington and its global partners.

In endorsing Kamala Harris for US President, we are not just supporting a candidate who ticks ethnic and racial boxes; we are embracing a vision of progress, inclusivity, and shared prosperity. Her presidency, together with the prospective speakership of House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakim Jeffries would mark a new chapter in Caribbean-American relations, one in which the truth can be spoken and our concerns addressed at the highest levels of global leadership.

It is a poignant note of history that Jeffries, upon his election to the leadership said: “I stand on the shoulders of Shirley Chisholm and others,” referring to the late Barbadian-American congresswoman, the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1968, the first Black candidate for a major-party presidential nomination and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. She represented New York’s then 12th Congressional District in Brooklyn, now the 8th Congressional District that Jeffries represents.

In this centenary year of Shirley Chisholm’s birth, would that her legacy bear fruit with the election of a leader who embodies the best of Caribbean potential on the global political stage.

It is for the voters of the United States to overcome the centuries-old legacy of racism and sexism and vote in the interest of preserving the American project. We urge them, especially those of West Indian descent, to rally behind Kamala Harris. Her success is our success, and her presidency could usher in an era of unprecedented opportunity, unity and amity between Barbados, the entire Caribbean region and our great neighbour to the north.

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Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has said the government cannot use people’s land tax bills for anything other than land taxes that have been assessed on the value of the property.

The Christ Church South MP offered this in response to the proposed Health Services (Amendment) Bill which was introduced on Tuesday in the House of Assembly by Attorney General Dale Marshall.

The bill proposes to impose a $300 administrative penalty for properties with bush and grass taller than two feet and an additional $10 each day the lands remain in the condition after an order by the Ministry of Health to clean up. As a last resort, Marshall said the government would clear the land if it posed a public health threat, and in those circumstances, the bill for this cost would be added to the owner’s land taxes.

Thorne questioned the legality of the proposal, stressing that government could not arbitrarily add to people’s land taxes. “You can’t legally conflate a remediation to a land tax,” he argued.

At the same time, Thorne accused the Mottley administration of being the worst offender when it comes to overgrown properties, a problem for which it was now seeking to penalise citizens.

Furthermore, he lashed out at the administration for “refusing to augment the [Environmental Health Department] with an adequate number of health inspectors”, while thanking the officers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opposition leader said the lack of public health inspectors was contributing to the current issues, as he called on the Minister of Health to visit departments in the ministry to find out why staff were so unhappy.

Thorne accused the administration of being “intolerant to criticism” and demanded that government pay more attention to healthcare workers, if it professes to care about the healthcare system.

“Government has a duty to listen to the voice of the people who suffer and stop the charade of seeking celebrity status in a country where there is widespread suffering,” he told the House.

“When a [person] is ill, he or she must be treated with respect and if government claims to care for people … they must treat those who care for those who are ill with respect. They must care for caregivers and doctors.”

Thorne was highly critical of the government for encouraging investment in private healthcare facilities, while the public healthcare system was deteriorating.  He accused the administration of losing its way in public healthcare delivery in Barbados.

He stressed: “The majority of Bajans cannot afford expensive private healthcare; that is why the lines are so long at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). People just cannot afford private care.”

He called on the administration to pay more attention to polyclinics, the QEH and its Accident and Emergency Department, as well as public health officers.

When it came to consultation with citizens, Thorne blasted the administration’s Parish Speaks programme as “pseudo engagement and pantomimes” rather than real engagement with Barbadians, adding that the sessions were carefully managed and rehearsed events.  (IMC1)

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Government’s plan to penalise landowners for having the highly irritating cow-itch vines on their properties has been abandoned following consultations with agricultural officials and farmers, Attorney General Dale Marshall has revealed.

The disclosure came as he introduced proposed amendments to the Health Services Act that would impose penalties on the land tax bills of property owners who allow bush and grass to overtake their lands. In addition, if the government is forced to clear the land to preserve the health of citizens, that cost, too, will be added to the owner’s land tax bill.

The government’s chief legal advisor said the plan was to outlaw cow-itch and penalise those who had the vines on their properties. He noted that farmlands were the main sources of cow-itch plants, whose pods cause severe itching and skin irritation.

But he said the planned approach proved to be unrealistic after it was discovered that “it was virtually impossible to destroy cow-itch seeds”.

Marshall informed the House that following discussions with farmers and experts, it was noted that when the island had much greater acreages of sugar cane under cultivation, cow-itch was less of an issue than it is now.

He explained that mechanical harvesting of canes had also exacerbated the problem by spreading the cow-itch pods through the machines’ blowers. According to the advice of agricultural specialists, cow-itch seeds are usually buried in the ground waiting for the right conditions to sprout, and therefore, it could take up to seven years of manual removal of the vines to eliminate the seeds.

He stressed that under these circumstances, it would be unfair to impose a penalty on farmers for having cow-itch on their properties. Marshall said the most that could be done at this stage is to try to manage the problem. (IMC1)

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The government intends to hit the pockets of landowners who fail to keep their properties clean by allowing them to be overgrown with bush or have derelict structures.

Offending landowners with grass or bush on their properties that is more than two feet tall and deemed a nuisance by health authorities, will face an administrative penalty of $300 and $10 each day it remains uncleared. They will have to foot the cost of clean-up if the state is forced to undertake the process. All this will be added to the landowner’s tax bill.

Importantly, the government, which owns vast amounts of land, will also be subjected to the legislation, according to Attorney General Dale Marshall.

Marshall made the disclosure on Tuesday in the House of Assembly as he moved the second reading of the Health Services (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to expand and update the 1969 legislation.

Marshall, the St Joseph MP, told the House that complaints relating to overgrown lands was constant from residents, particularly in rural districts when the administration hosted its Parish Speaks events.

He insisted that the current legislation with small fines and administrative procedures was not a deterrence or fitted the current times. Noting that under the present law, the minister could authorise the State to take possession of the property, execute the works and then auction the land to recover the costs incurred. This he described as draconian and inappropriate.

“We needed to find a mechanism to do the clean-up and to recover the funds,” Marshall told the lower chamber. “We also recognised that the method of dragging people before the magistrates’ court to face a criminal penalty was also archaic and served to criminalise Barbadians for breaches that are administrative . . . of failing to do a particular thing.”

He added: “I don’t think that a person, whose property falls into a state of being overgrown is somebody who says I intend to cause this. . .  It is a failure, a neglect but the way the law currently treats it, you are required to drag a person before the court so that they can be prosecuted for a criminal wrong and . . . you will end up with a criminal record.”

The approach which the administration was proposing is the imposition of penalties on the land tax bills of offending property owners and/or occupiers of the land.

The attorney general stressed that landowners had the option of taking cases of hardship to the Land Tax Relief Board. Moreover, he stressed that the government had no plans of going around clearing overgrown lots as the obligation remained that of the landowner.

But he noted that in cases where public health is involved, the government will step in as “a last resort” and undertake the clean-up while the costs are added to the property owner’s tax obligations.

The attorney general stressed that the proposed amendments would go before a Standing Select Committee to allow Barbadians to have their say on the amendments. (IMC1)

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The question on many people’s lips is: “Why so much crime and homicide?” and for some it’s followed by, “What can be done?”

The second question is being answered simplistically with recommendations for increased and more effective policing, a crime unit and exhortations to those criminally inclined. This was eloquently and passionately done by the prime minister recently. While this may or may not help to get the horses back into the stable, of greater importance in the long term for the future of the nation, is the first question, and the implications.

The causes of our now endemic high levels of crime are obviously multi-factorial, and fall under four main heads:

1. Failure of primary education, leading inevitably to failure of secondary education,
2. Failure of the churches to relate to those in the younger decades, and hence abandonment of the desired values,
3. The collapse of family life for many, and
4. The relentless degeneration of our culture, actively promoted at some levels, with materialism and selfishness as the new standards of behaviour.

The failure of between 30 and 50 per cent of 11-year-olds in the Common Entrance exam for decades has been ignored by successive ministries of education, and little if anything done to remedy it; instead, these statistics have not been published for some years until they were reputedly leaked this year and acknowledged. The consequence of large numbers of semi-literate and semi-numerate children progressing to secondary school is for large numbers to leave with no certification or skills and to end up on the block, in gangs, and in illegal employment. This is by far the top priority for education reform, not the irrelevant proposal for middle and senior schools, as every teacher knows. We need to understand the reasons for this enormous, unacceptable failure rate. URGENT evaluations must be done. We saw it and did nothing.

The failure of the churches to attract young people is not new. The absence of young adults, teenagers and children in the traditional churches – often of anyone under middle age – is not new. It happened gradually over several decades. The ritual and theology do not appeal to younger people. At the other end of the spectrum, the evangelical/Pentecostal churches with often seemingly threatening messages of fire and brimstone, hell and damnation, do not resonate either. Lengthy Sunday sermons, whether intellectual and dull or fiery shouting, don’t do the job intended. The churches must get out into the community, connect, communicate, counsel and succour, if ethical values are to be restored. We saw it coming and did nothing. There are a few churches and community leaders whose approaches should be followed and multiplied.

The third huge, underpinning problem is the collapse of family life for so many. The promotion, even exaltation of casual sex, with the result of “children having children”, to borrow a phrase of the late Professor George Nicholson thirty years or more ago, has created a crisis of parenting, or the lack of healthy parenting. The absence of a father in a home has been shown unequivocally to have devastating effects on the children, especially boys, damaging their mental, academic and social development. PAREDOS has done its best, but far greater and multi-faceted efforts must be made to re-educate and support society in returning to healthy families as the norm. We saw it and did nothing.

Finally, there has been a progressive degeneration in the values, the mores and the behaviour of many people in our country —  many would say the majority, but I am more positive. We have become possibly the biggest party country in the Caribbean, outdoing our Trini neighbours, with “a bevy of festivals” and constant fetes. Our much-vaunted Bajan “culture” often amounts to nothing more than calypso, rude songs and “wukking up” – at Kadooment, elsewhere and even in primary schools, so that the recent video scandal is likely but the tip of the iceberg. Anything goes. We’ve seen it coming and done nothing.

While the police and others in the community continue to do their very best, it is time to tackle these four critical areas seriously.

Professor Emeritus Sir Henry Fraser is a former educator, architectural historian, author and mentor.

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Hailee Harding, a 16-year-old student from Graydon Sealy Secondary School, has been named the new junior minister of tourism for Barbados. The announcement was made yesterday at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc’s Barbados Tourism Youth Congress 2024, held at the Hilton Barbados, Needham’s Point, St Michael.

Harding’s victory was the result of her hard work and the unwavering support of her family, friends, teachers, and well-wishers. In an emotional speech, she expressed her gratitude to everyone who had her back throughout the competition.

“So many people had my back behind this and all I could think about coming into this [competition] was how I didn’t want to let those people down; how I wanted to give them something to be proud of and how I wanted to carry their support with me all the way. I was always thinking that I can’t aim for first place if I want to do well. I have to aim to go regional and that’s what I was thinking the entire time,” Harding said, fighting back tears of joy. “What my teachers said really did come true: It really did take a village [to raise a child].”

Mikkel Robertson of Alexandra School placed second, while Malika Straker of the Lester Vaughan School came third. Other contestants included Dalinda Maynard of Princess Margaret Secondary School, Jaydn Gill of Harrison College, and Makayla Lowe of The Ellerslie School.

Harding will represent Barbados at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) Regional Youth Congress, where she will compete for the regional junior minister of tourism title during the CTO’s State of The Industry Conference in the Cayman Islands in September.

Last year’s winner, Jordan Grieg of Harrison College, who encouraged her to “take opportunities and put yourself out there”. Grieg also advised Hailey to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to amplify the voices of many other youths and get them involved in the tourism sector.

Andrea Franklin, the chief executive officer of BTMI, described the final as an “exciting” event and expressed her hope that many of the students would pursue careers in the tourism industry. She emphasised the importance of engaging Barbadian youth in critical tourism matters and stimulating greater awareness and meaningful discourse regarding the industry.

The Tourism Youth Congress not only provides first-hand experience of Barbados’ unique product but also encourages visitors to make the island their “perennial destination of choice,” Franklin said, stressing that the competition plays a crucial role in shaping the island’s future tourism leaders, ensuring that today’s youth become tomorrow’s decision-makers who will directly influence the sector’s sustainable expansion.

(BGIS/BT)

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The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is collaborating with the Legacy Foundation to establish a learning space designed for elderly individuals who face difficulties conducting business online.

It’s an issue that is of concern to Marilyn Rice-Bowen, the BARP president, who observed that too many elderly people are vulnerable to exploitation due to their limited understanding of, or access to digital technology.

“We thought that we should have a project where members could come and be exposed, where they could come and use the Internet and where they could also be trained on how to use the Internet. Because to file for a visa application, to meet your statutory obligations, to get a passport, you name it, in today’s spaces, you must have that digital access,” Rice-Bowen told a ceremony at the BARP headquarters in Hastings, Christ Church, to launch the business centre.

She gave the assurance that members of the organisation would be exposed to various digital platforms and automatic teller machines “because we are concerned about financial abuse. So the more things that you as a senior can do yourself, the less you would have to share your passwords and sharing your [debit and credit] cards and all that with other people to give them that access to your money.”

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, echoed these concerns regarding financial abuse among the elderly, noting that the business centre would empower retired individuals to become more self-sufficient.

“People are trying to copy the [pension] cheques [and] secondly, people are charging high rates to cash your cheques and it is egregious. And so we feel that this is a way to be able to protect older persons. One way to make sure that that does not happen is to ensure that we give them the capacity, the competency to be able to use computers. to be able to come here during the day [and] do their business,” he explained.

Maureen Graham, chair of the Legacy Foundation, highlighted the centre’s significance as a valuable investment for both the elderly and society. She noted that it would provide seniors with the necessary resources, support, and guidance to overcome barriers in accessing finance, technology, and networks. The centre will also offer training, mentoring, coaching, and various services to enhance their skills and knowledge.

The business centre is equipped with several computer stations where seniors will learn how to perform transactions effectively.

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Kodi Phillips scored the first hundred of the 2024 Caribbean Tapeball Tri-Nation Series on Tuesday, guiding Barbados to a massive win over Saint Lucia in the final at Londonderry Playing Field in the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The 31-year-old from St Joseph Cultural Club, the leading scorer in the 2024 St Joseph Tapeball Tournament, was on fire in the final. He scored 122 against Saint Lucia, from just 53 balls. He cleared the boundary 16 times, and hit two fours.

Barbados scored 241 for 6 in 20 overs, after opting to bat. Kemar Harte added 38, and Kemar Smith 34. Malcolm Monrose took 2-25, and Shon Francois 2-44.

In reply, Saint Lucia were bundled out for 72 in 13.4 overs. Garette Alphonse made 25, Kymani Sexius added 20, but Harte took 4-14, and Diego Stuart 2-9.

Barbados opened the tournament by defeating the host nation, Dominica, by 227 runs. Barbados made 287-9 in 20 overs, the highest score of the competition. Tyler Small had 67, Marlon Welcome-Goodman 53, and Harte 49. Dominica were 60 all out in 13.3 overs, only two players getting into double figures. Shakeel Turney took 4-17, Davien Branker 2-14, and the captain, Deswin Currency 2-16.

On the second day of competition, at Benjamin Park, Barbados had their first crack at Saint Lucia, winning by 208 runs. Barbados amassed 248-9, Zidane Harewood 99 from 45 balls, with 18 fours and two sixes, Phillips 41. Malcolm Monrose took 3-38.

Saint Lucia on that occasion were dismissed for 40. Renaldo Holder took 3-16, Currency 2-5, Harte 2-17.

The 15-man team and five officials will have been utterly delighted with the performances put in over the past few days. Barbados’ dominance owes a great deal to the effort put into domestic competition over the past two years.

“They’ve been practicising quite hard at home,” said Tapeball Barbados director, Elly Holford. “Today we saw the results of that work, and it was a joy to watch.

“From the results that we are getting, you can definitely tell that the tapeball competitions that we hold at home in Barbados, it is definitely paying off. We do have the Champions of Champions coming again in January. We have a minor league in September. We want to create a series of channels that would allow guys to come and showcase their talent.”

Notwithstanding the  lopsided results, Holford told Barbados TODAY that the tournament had its unique quirks and challenges, albeit nothing the team could not manage.

“The impression we got from the tournament – it was different, you know,” said Holford. “In terms, the pitch is a clay pitch, that red soil kind of material. And so it was a bit rough at first for the guys to adjust, but obviously, because the guys are professionals, they made light work of it.

Barbados remains in Roseau to contest the T10 tournament against the same two opponents between Wednesday and Thursday of this week,

The tournament was being held in preparation to select a West Indies team for the inaugural T20 Tapeball World Cup. That competition is expected to be held in Texas, USA in 2025, and it is anticipated that over 20 teams will compete.

“The region can build on this, because years gone by, you only had a hardball, that was the only outlet that you had,” Holford concluded. “Now there is tapeball. Nowadays, guys use cricket to make a living, but not everyone can make that team. And now we have tapeball, we are hoping we can build it, where we can have a regional tapeball series, where you got Guyana, and Trinidad, and Jamaica, and Antigua.”

In advance of the 2025 World Cup, it is hoped that the West Indies team will be able to take on Canada and the USA later this year.

Barbados squad: Deswin Currency (captain), Zidane Harewood (vice-captain), Ryshon Williams, Sadrian Ward, Kemar Smith, Marlon Welcome-Goodman, Jared Glikes, Davien Branker, Kemar Harte, Tyler Small, Kodi Phillips, Shakeel Turney, Abdulla Hafeji, Renaldo Holder, Diego Stuart.

Manager: Elly Holford; Coach: Shane Ramsay; Assistant Coach: Jamele Blair; Management Officials: Winston Haynes, Aslam Bhikha.

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Fide Master Martyn Del Castilho romped to an emphatic victory in the 2024 Philip Corbin Open chess event over the weekend at the Coles Building, Bridgetown.

Del Castilho won his last three games without much duress to finish unbeaten from seven matches. Finishing in second on 5 ½ points was Kemp Lynch who defeated the 2023 Central American and Caribbean bronze medalist Chanon Reifer-Belle in the last round to ensure that he too would qualify for next month’s national chess championship finals.

However, the highlight of the final round was the near five-hour battle between woman candidate master Julissa Figueroa and Adam Roachford. Roachford had come into the round in joint third position with Reifer-Belle but a loss in this round could see it coming down to a tie-break for the coveted third position, a situation that might not favour Roachford.

Initially it was Roachford who had the ascendancy, and he was able to win a pawn in a complex middle game. However, as the game meandered into the endgame, Figueroa stirred up complications as Roachford had misplaced his rook. To avoid losing it, he had to lose some pawns in the process. With this clear advantage many pundits believed Figueroa would push on to win. She could not find the correct plan and, frustratingly for her, the match petered out to a draw. This result meant Roachford finished third on 4 ½ points to clinch the final berth for the national finals.

Other results saw victories for Lawrence Depradine and Othneil Harewood. The first three finishers qualified for the national finals.

Wilson 8th in PanAm chess 

Hannah Wilson finished 8th from 23 players in the Girls Under-16 section of the 2024 PanAmerican Youth Chess Championship in Orlando, Florida last week. Going into the final round against Laura Valentina Padro Useche of Colombia, Wilson could still end in a tie for the second position if she could win the game. She however suffered defeat which led to her finishing 8th overall with 5 points from 9 games. The outstanding Sofia Mayorga Araya of Costa Rica won this section with 8 points.

At a very tough event which saw over 350 players from 28 countries competing in 12 separate sections, 6 male and 6 female. Wilson still did the nation proud as she was the highest-scoring female from the Caribbean, along with Chika Pride (the Bahamas) who was in the Under-14 girls section. Vedant Shetty of St Vincent & the Grenadines was the highest scorer from the region overall with 5 ½ points from his 9 matches. Only these three players managed more than 50% from our Caribbean representatives.

The next event of the chess calendar is the Under 11, 15, & 17 Scholastics Championship to be played at Harrison College over the next weekend starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

(PR)

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Akey figure in the Democratic Labour Party at the centre of its internal power struggles has withdrawn his lawsuit challenging the suspension of party president Dr Ronnie Yearwood and general secretary Steve Blackett.

Longstanding member Ricardo Williams told Barbados TODAY: “I decided to withdraw from the case, with the hope that we as a party can settle this dispute, once and for all. I am a firm believer in democracy; and that was the major reason I decided to go to the court initially to settle the dispute.”

With this announcement, made hours after the DLP stalwart and the other warring side appeared in the High Court, Yearwood and Blackett, currently on suspension, insisted that all no-confidence motions must now be withdrawn.

But it remains to be seen if other party stalwarts, including Blackett himself, would walk away from their motions and countermotions challenging both the elected leaders and the men who replaced them.

Williams said: “We cannot allow any institution in Barbados, and certainly not the Democratic Labour Party, to operate outside of the confines of democracy. The president, Ronnie Yearwood, and the general secretary, Steve Blackett, were elected and re-elected by the members of the Democratic Labour Party; and they can only be removed by the members of the Democratic Labour Party with a vote.

“They cannot be bulldozed by a few people fighting for power. It just cannot happen. Democracy must prevail in Barbados. It has to prevail,” Williams insisted as he ended the lawsuit against interim president Andre Worrell and acting general secretary Pedro Shepherd.

The call for withdrawing the no-confidence motions was made on Tuesday by the suspended president Dr Yearwood and general secretary Blackett, the latter having himself filed a confidence motion in support of his boss and a no-confidence motion against Political Leader Ralph Thorne, the Leader of the Opposition.

Earlier, attorney Neil Marshall who represented Worrell and also spoke on behalf of attorney Hal Gollop’s client, acting general secretary Shepherd, embraced Williams’ position that the matter be resolved internally.

“There are no winners or losers in this entire episode and if there are any winners, the winners we expect will be the people of Barbados who can now resign themselves to the party itself addressing and dealing with the issues that they are expected to deal with as a mature political party,” Marshall declared.

Thorne who was in Parliament when he received the news of the lawsuit’s withdrawal, welcomed the development.

“We hope that the organs of the DLP will arrive at a resolution that will restore pride and dignity to His Excellency, Mr. Errol Barrow’s party,” Thorne told Barbados TODAY.

“It is ironically significant that I was in Parliament, because I have always reserved my political energies in defence of the people and in defence of the DLP at the parliamentary and national level, being always aware that the people’s and party’s business should be given priority over any internal dispute that did not affect the price of bread, the safety of the citizens, the infelicities in government, nor the moral abuse of our children in a cultural abyss.”

“The question of leadership,” he said, “was for me never a matter of contention. The Constitution of Barbados describes me as Leader of the Opposition and the constitution of the DLP describes me as Political Leader. I never sought more than that and I never sought to disturb the law.

“Apart from being political leader, I am an ordinary member of the General Council and I will continue to serve in those capacities,” he stated.

The opposition leader pledged to continue to put the case for the DLP as a credible alternative government.

He suggested that the party must now express “deepest” gratitude to Worrell, Shepherd and Annette Wood for managing the party’s administrative affairs “during this turbulent period”.

While Shepherd also holds a no-confidence motion over Yearwood’s head, the veteran party member who lodged the first one against the president, general secretary and the entire party executive disclosed on Tuesday that any decision to withdraw his would depend on a ruling by the general council regarding the status of his resolution.

Hartley Reid, who in April filed a no-confidence motion against Yearwood, Blackett and the executive council, said now that the court has accepted Williams’ decision to withdraw his legal action, that case will now join his to go before the general council.

“It reverts now over to the general council, where the general council now has to decide on my position,” Reid told Barbados TODAY. “The general council has already set up the disciplinary committee, and the disciplinary committee is to look into the complaint brought against the same two gentlemen, the president and the general secretary.

“So, I have not heard any word from the general council relative to my no-confidence motion. So, fortunately or unfortunately for me, this coincides with coming to the end of the year, and the conference is for September. So, I do not know how quickly or how long the disciplinary committee is going to take to deliberate over the issue with the president and the general secretary. So, I don’t have any action to take until I hear officially, from the general council as to my vote of no-confidence.”

But the president and general secretary were adamant that going forward, all such motions must be taken off the table.

The party’s public relations officer, Stacia Browne, relayed the leaders’ message that all no-confidence motions must be withdrawn, not just Blackett’s. “All the no-confidence motions…you would know there were more than one no-confidence motion that was on the table. All of them would have to be withdrawn…A-L-L, all,” shedeclared.

Pressed to specify the source of this message, she replied: “It’s coming from the party…it’s coming from the leadership of the party, Ronnie and Steve, the leadership of the party.”

Political scientist Peter Wickham believes that if Blackett were to withdraw his no-confidence motion, it could lead to a resolution.

He suggested that coupled with the withdrawal of the court action, the removal of the no-confidence motion would start the DLP on a path of being able to challenge the ruling BLP.

“Overall, it’s good for the DLP,” Wickham told Barbados TODAY. “I think it will help to refocus the DLP’s energy on trying to get the party back together. I do note that they have taken aim at the Barbados Labour Party in all of this, notwithstanding. But I do feel that they need to look internally and put their house in order, get some candidates in place, get some public pronouncements regarding their own internal position; and thereafter they can take on the Barbados Labour Party in due course.”

The pollster welcomed the decision by Williams to take the legal challenge off the table and to deal with their divisions internally.

“My sense,” Wickham said, “is that the muscularity of the language initially has given way to a reality to suggest that this is really a political and not a legal matter, again, consistent with my own views, and it should be treated as such. I also note that there has been some indication that Steve Blackett, who to my mind, is a huge part of the problem, has taken a slightly different position and has resigned himself to, one could say, a junior role in the whole matter.”

He argued that Yearwood’s presidency of the Dems could be “salvaged” by his performing an administrative role.

“I think that the other key players which would be Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne and his group can be harnessed in terms of taking the Democratic Labour Party forward. So, my sense is that they do have an opportunity now. We need to hear from Steve Blackett regarding his own vote of no-confidence…an attempt to remove the opposition leader. And if that is withdrawn, if that is resolved, and if he decides to take the path of least resistance, my feeling is that there can be a mending of fences.”

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Following are the finalists to face Calypso Monarch iWeb in the Courtesy Garage Pic O De Crop Competition on Friday, August 2, 2024.

The announcement of the finalists was made this morning, by NCF Corporate Communications Specialist Toni Yarde, following the judging of the final tent All Stars at Garfield Sobers Sports Complex. Finalists are asked to meet at Courtesy Courage at 4 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 24, to draw for positions.

For more information please email: toni-yarde@ncf.bb

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The Big Soca Pop Up Party featuring Krosfyah was the action spot on Friday night. The vibe was nice from start to finish. This event had the element missing from most parties these days, people were dancing rather than staring blankly at the stage or engrossed in their phones. Not even brief showers could bring the temperature down at the Cricket Legends venue.

The ‘yardies’ were in heaven from the time the band made their appearance just after midnight. Frontmen, Khiomal Nurse and Edwin Yearwood were in their element. Nurse showed his rubber waist was still functional performing Strong Back. Adding more fire was Tony ‘Rebel’ Bailey with Ruff Rider. Their energetic session included favourites like Good Time, Pump Me Up, Oil Pumpin’ and Sak Passe. Determined to satisfy their fans requests, they went deep into the archives for tunes that they have not heard in a while, dusting off hits like French Kiss, In a Jam and Haunting Melody. The mixed bag of selections included social commentaries Something Greater and A Voice in My Head.

Yearwood encouraged the party goers to clap any arthritis associated pains out of their knees as they showed they still had what it takes to wine down to the ground. The band’s set extended beyond their own repertoire. They energised the crowd with Alison Hinds’ Togetherness and RPB’s Volcano. They sweetened the pot with Gabby’s Hit It, Grynner’s Leggo I Hand and even added in some of Spice’s In De Congaline for good measure.

Even when they wrapped up an hour later it was clear that patrons still wanted more soca. They were able to get their craving fulfilled with performances by Grateful Co and Leadpipe and Saddis who had no problem keeping the energy level high. By the time the live performances where complete, exhilarated party goers were drenched in sweat.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, artiste manager expressed pride in the success of the pop-ups which began in 2018. She explained that she was driven by a desire to keep fans satisfied, she is energized by their excitement at the chance to see their favourite band still active on the local scene.

This event was also important for another reason, Holder told Barbados TODAY, “It is a very significant time in my life to celebrate 20 years in an industry that even in 2024 is still not respected. Some people think it is a hobby. But this is what we do 24 hours a day.” Acknowledging that women in the entertainment space face more challenges she added, “As a female in the industry I feel very proud of what I call the hustle.”

Her roster of artistes is impressive, Holder said, “I am very happy and proud to say that I have the likes of Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, the younger brigade of Leadpipe and Saddis, and more recently Chief Diin.” She is also working with musical stalwart Wendy Alleyne and international actress Vivica Fox.

Fans of the band will have another opportunity to see them perform as one of the featured acts on the National Cultural Foundation produced Soca 5.0. (STT)

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The chief spokesman for the nation’s public transport owners has urged the Mia Mottley administration to take decisive action against indiscipline in his industry, declaring that “government needs to stop talking and let us see some sort of action related to some of these indisciplined, unruly persons that continue to create issues for the public sector”.

But Roy Raphael, the chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), also appealed for the establishment of an independent disciplinary committee to investigate and punish infractions. He suggested this committee be independent of the Transport Authority, the government regulator of route taxis and minibuses.
He was responding to a recent incident where two route taxi (ZR) vans were filmed driving on the wrong side of the road, cutting across oncoming traffic. This video, which went viral on social media, has heightened concerns about lawlessness in privately owned public transport.
“We are seeing an increase in areas related to indiscipline within the sector that really concerns us as an association”, Raphael told Barbados TODAY.

The AOPT chairman proposed that a disciplinary committee should be “outside of the Transport Authority” and “chaired by a retired judicial officer or a senior attorney-at-law”.

He elaborated on its potential scope: “[It should be] similar to the Fair Trading Commission or the Public Counsel. When you have a body that deals with complaints pertaining to public transport, not only ZRs and minibuses, that body should be able to make a decision. If they revoke or suspend your permit, you still have the courts that you can basically go to.”

Raphael highlighted the challenges facing the sector, noting an influx of young workers attracted by a ready paycheque.

“We are seeing more youngsters having to join the service”, he said. “We are also seeing a lot of indisciplined youngsters coming into the service because public transport is a place where you can get a salary or breaks every day. National Insurance is not taken out. If you work for $12, you get $12. And within that sector, you can also benefit from having lunch and all those other things that come with it.”
The AOPT head was quick to point out the limitations of his organisation’s authority: “We don’t have the authority to discipline nobody, other than our members”. This, he argued, underscores the need for government intervention.

Looking to the future, Raphael discussed plans for a cashless payment system, which he believes could help curb indiscipline.

“We have been speaking to a number of providers, and we have not yet come to any final decision”, he revealed. “We have had a meeting with the minister and the minister of transport has supported the association along with the Transport Board in having a cashless system onboard.”
Raphael expressed optimism about the potential impact of this system: “When that cashless system comes in place, we should see some level of discipline within the sector”.

He also suggested that broader reforms might be necessary, stating, “We believe that there are some routes you might have to suspend because it isn’t working. I also believe there are some routes you have to create.” emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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The government has extended its Welcome Stamp Programme until December 31, 2026 as applications to the remote work visa scheme surpass 5 000.

Now in its fourth year, the programme continues to position Barbados as a leading destination for remote workers and digital nomads seeking a Caribbean experience, even as the world recovers from the global pandemic that prompted remote work as a viable lifestyle choice for some professionals and information technology workers.

Statistics released by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. reveal that of 5 164 applications received since its inception in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 3 058 approvals were granted as of April 30.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who announced the programme in July 2020, said: “This initiative seeks to assist in diversifying our tourism product, attract a new type of visitor, and generate foreign exchange.”

The Welcome Stamp programme has drawn applicants from mostly the United States, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Canada, India, and Ireland. Individuals account for 65 per cent of applications, while families make up the remaining 35 per cent.

A gender breakdown of the applicants shows a significant male majority, with 64 per cent of applications coming from men and 36 per cent from women. The age range of applicants spans from 18 to over 75 years old.

The Welcome Stamp has attracted professionals from various industries, including “Tourism and Hospitality; Distribution; Education and Training; Finance, Government and Public Administration, Public Safety; Logistics; and Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications,” according to the BTMI.

In July 2021, Parliament passed the Remote Employment Amendment Act, which allowed for the extension of the existing legislation governing the Welcome Stamp. The Remote Employment Act 2020-2023 now “allows for the Welcome Stamp to be renewed, the fees to be paid, and the renewal of the stamp itself for those persons who have been here for a year,” a government statement explained.

The decision to extend the programme until the end of 2026 was made during a Cabinet meeting last October.

(BT/BGIS)

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The Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) has issued an urgent call for a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach to tackle rising crime rates.

At a news conference, BPSA Chairman Tricia Tannis stressed a need for coordinated action involving all sectors of society to address the root causes of criminal behaviour.

“There’s a denigration of respect for human life in preference for gold or any other tradable asset that can be converted and liquidated very quickly on the streets,” Tannis told reporters.

She recounted a troubling scenario where a young, ambitious employee left a legitimate job to engage in illicit activities for higher financial gain. “We have a serious problem when we have that sort of a system at play.”

The private sector spokeswoman stressed that addressing the crime issue requires a multifaceted approach.

“This is clearly an issue that is going to take essentially all of us — the press, the private sector, all stakeholders. It’s certainly not an issue that can be politicised,” she said.

Tannis expressed deep concern over the impact of crime on daily life and the fear it instils in the community.

“We cannot live in fear in our homes because there are relatively few elements being highly incentivised to do whatever it is that they do and not care about the innocent fallout,” she said.

She firmly rejected the notion of ignoring the problem and allowing criminals to “kill themselves”, pointing out the indiscriminate danger of weapons like AK-47s.

Calling for a structured and focused approach, Tannis elaborated: “It makes no sense all of us as disjointed stakeholders going out there and doing the same thing, tackling the same part of the issue. It would make more sense, even within the confines of the Social Partnership or similar partnerships, that maybe we have the criminologists basically say, ‘Look, this is the A to Z of this issue based on the expertise. This is how we want to address A to Z.'”

She proposed a coordinated strategy: “This group can take A to C, this group can take D to F, this group can take F to L, and so on. And therefore, we have a whole-of-society approach, but with very focused sub-foci, so that we’re probably tackling everything at the same time.”

The BPSA chairman highlighted the critical role of education in combating crime.

“Our schools play a critical role in shaping the values and future of our youth. We need to ensure that our educational institutions are not only places of learning but also safe havens where students can develop into responsible and law-abiding citizens,” she said.

Tannis also emphasised the importance of community involvement.

“Communities need to come together to support one another and create environments where criminal behaviour is not tolerated. This includes neighbourhood watch programmes, community centres offering recreational activities and support services, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and accountability,” she said.

The BPSA is advocating for stronger partnerships between the private sector and law enforcement agencies.

“By working closely with the police,” Tannis said, “businesses can help identify and address crime hotspots, support crime prevention initiatives, and provide resources for community policing efforts.”

Mental health support was identified as a crucial component of crime prevention.

“Many individuals turn to crime due to underlying mental health issues, including trauma, addiction, and untreated psychological conditions. We need to invest in mental health services that are accessible to all, reduce the stigma associated with seeking help, and provide comprehensive care that addresses both prevention and treatment,” Tannis stressed.

She reaffirmed the BPSA’s commitment to addressing the crime issue. “We stand ready to support and participate in any initiative that aims to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for all Barbadians. This is our home, and we all have a responsibility to protect and nurture it for future generations.”

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Barbados faces a critical “care deficit” that poses a more significant challenge than its economic issues, according to Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey.

In a stark assessment of the island’s social fabric, Humphrey warned that traditional family support structures are eroding, leaving the State to fill an ever-widening gap in caregiving.
Speaking at the launch of a National Transformation Initiative to train hundreds of home care workers in collaboration with the National Assistance Board (NAB), Humphrey said: “If we’re going to be a caring country, my biggest concern right now is that as the traditional mechanisms of care that are supposed to be the foundation of a society, family and extended family, or people just caring within the family, as those things begin to erode, there is going to be a need for us in the State to play a different role.”
The minister for social care highlighted the urgent need for societal change, pointing to troubling trends in elder care and instances of abandonment.

“I think we built a society with the assumption that the family would carry a significant part of the burden. And what you are seeing every day in different manifestations is that the family is no longer playing that role,” he observed.
Humphrey’s comments came as he announced a major training initiative for over 600 NAB staff members, aimed at enhancing their caregiving skills.

He emphasised the importance of compassion in public service: “We have to expose our staff to higher levels of training so that when they engage with other people in public, people sense a degree of compassion. And there’s not everything you can teach, but I do believe there’s some things we can convey.”
The minister called for a fundamental shift in hiring practices, urging a focus on candidates with genuine empathy.

“There are a number of people who come forward with eight million qualifications and present themselves for a job, but the bigger requirement is that they care about other people,” he said. “We have to start asking different questions beyond ‘what your degree is — did you get honours?’ Those kinds of questions: ‘Tell me what you have done growing up; what have you done for other people?’”
Suggesting a novel approach to addressing the care deficit, Humphrey proposed integrating the arts into caregiving practices.

“We have people who are in the arts, but we’re not using the arts. And my [permanent secretary] and I have been discussing for too long how we include the arts in our practice. Part of our training, but beyond our training, how do we include the arts in the work that we do? How do we include the arts in communicating this message of care? Because in my mind, that is the biggest deficit this country has to face.”
It was not immediately clear whether the arts would be accommodated in the home help programme or in the NTI training initiative.

The minister painted a sobering picture of Barbados’ demographic challenges: “If we accept that Barbados is an aged society, and Barbados now has one in every five persons over 65, one in every four over 60, that’s a serious number. If the population is getting older but we are caring less, you can understand what is going to happen to this country in the next few years.”
Humphrey called for comprehensive community involvement to address these issues, stressing: “If the younger people who also need care are not being cared for, well then, we have a double problem. And I think that training is going to be a big part of it, but we need to have parenting programmes and community-based programmes, and everybody has to be involved.”
While acknowledging significant government investments in elder care and legislative progress, including the passage of child protection legislation and the impending disabilities bill, the minister insisted more action is needed.
“This government has spent the most money on elder care in the history of this country, by far,” Humphrey said. “We’ve added almost $10 million to the National Assistance Board to be able to provide community elder care. We’ve just given an additional $7 million to the National Systems Board to be able to build out elderly facilities.”
But, he warned: “I would be very concerned about the society we leave if we do not do it together or if we do not recognise that there is serious work that has to be done in this country and that it requires every single one.”
The social care minister drew a direct link between the care deficit and rising crime rates, noting: “If of the 27 murders we’ve seen, nine of those murders were not gun-related, those are people who had a quarrel, got angry, and hurt somebody else. We have to be able to talk these things through. Conflict resolution has to be part of the conversation.”
In a plea for collective action, Humphrey said: “There is a lot of work to be done in this country, and if we do it together, we will solve most of our societal problems.”

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