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Parliamentary Reform Commissioners Take Their Oath

Six Commissioners of the Parliamentary Reform Commission, including a medical doctor, a lawyer, and an economist, took the Oath of Office, at State House, this morning.

They were sworn in by Acting President, The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson, during a brief ceremony, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw and Cabinet Secretary, Selma Green.

The Commissioners are: Senator Elizabeth Thompson; former Senator Maxine McClean; Professor Velma Newton; Dr. Richard Ishmael; attorney-at-law Corey Beckles, and economist Dr. William Chandler Jr.

Acting President Gibson, upon swearing in the Commissioners, extended his heartiest congratulations, and noted that they would be playing a critical role in helping to reform the island’s parliamentary system.

“I congratulate you on your appointment…. This is a very important juncture in the life of our nation, and you, as Commissioners, will play a significant role in helping to shape the future of our Parliament. Thank you for your willingness to serve in this capacity and I want to wish you every good wish in your deliberations and your eventual presentations. Congratulations to all,” Dr. Gibson stated.

Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw also expressed thanks to the Commissioners and told the media that the work of the Commissioners had already begun.

She said today’s swearing-in was the culmination of several discussions that the Government had regarding the appointment of persons who would undertake “some very important work …, which is the reform of Parliament”.

“I think we all recognise that in this age where persons want to perhaps understand and appreciate more of what we’re doing in Parliament, that the institutions which would have served us several decades ago can no longer serve this country. As such, we have embarked on being able to swear in these individuals,” Minister Bradshaw stated.

She shared that many significant reforms had taken place in the 1970s, when Barbados made the transition to single-member constituencies, and the time had come for an “overhaul” of the current system.

The work of the Commission for the next six months will entail all aspects of the reform of Parliament, including reviewing procedures and looking at the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Barbadians. It will also involve educating the public about the exercise, as members go through the process.

Minister Bradshaw said: “We look forward to very vigorous debates over the course of the next few months, but [it is] also an exercise where the public can be engaged in a meaningful way, to be able to help us to reform and to make Parliament more relevant to the people of this country.”

The Parliamentary Reform Commission has as its Chairman, Sir Richard Cheltenham. The Deputy Chairman is Sir Roy Trotman, and the Secretary is Pedro Eastmond. (PR/GIS)

Acting President, The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson (seated left) and Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw (seated right) pose with the six Parliamentary Reform Commissioners (from left) Senator Elizabeth Thompson; Professor Velma Newton; economist Dr. William Chandler Jr.; former Senator Maxine McClean; attorney-at-law Corey Beckles; and Dr. Richard Ishmael.

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder.

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados.

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3^rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.