Government

Barbados And Ireland To Deepen Synergies

The Government of Barbados and the Republic of Ireland have agreed to deepen synergies given their historical connections and shared values.

This move to deepen and strengthen relations between the two countries was discussed during a recent courtesy call with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds; and the Ambassador of Ireland to Barbados, Geraldine Byrne Nason, at Ilaro Court.

The courtesy call followed Ambassador Nason’s presentation of credentials to the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

Although diplomatic relations between Barbados and Ireland were established on May 3, 2001, the relationship dates back to the 1620s, when Irish people immigrated to Barbados. This can be seen in the many Barbadian familial names which can be traced to Irish roots, for example, Fenty, Dixon, McCarthy, and Forde.

According to Ms. Mottley, it is a natural progression for the two countries to pursue a more meaningful and robust bilateral engagement that would enhance their longstanding heritage ties. To this end, Barbados established an embassy in Dublin, Ireland, this year, which is headed by the resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ireland, Cleviston Haynes.

“So, the truth is that Europe remains important to us but building on Ireland’s historical connection with us is even more important because the opportunities for synergies are real, and we see development occurring in heritage tourism, culture, and educational skills…. And at the end of the day, at every level, I believe there are appreciable benefits to be derived from enhanced cooperation between our two countries,” Prime Minister Mottley said.

In response, Ambassador Nason said she agreed the time had come to build on the existing relationship. “I think it makes it all the more, in a way, incumbent on us now, in this existing spirit, to renew this relationship and make it more fruitful,” she stated.

*Tourism and culture were also discussed during the courtesy call, for which Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, was also present.*

During the meeting, the officials also discussed the economic risks of climate change on small island developing states (SIDS) and the need for a more inclusive approach to addressing the climate crisis.

This led to dialogue on Ireland’s ‘Second Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States to 2026’, which has as one of its four pillars, multi-commitment action plans to work to ensure that the climate challenges faced by SIDS and their ocean-related priorities are systematically reflected in their policy and funding decisions and that their climate action and advocacy respond to SIDS needs.

Minister Symmonds thanked the Irish government for the initiative and for their role in advocating for SIDS. “We are grateful for Ireland’s perspective and partnership and its voice. I think a lot of the advocacy that you have offered is really helpful and we look forward to your continued support,” he said.

The Washington, D.C. Resident Ambassador noted: “It’s a fundamental tenet of our foreign policy to work with small island developing states. The relationship is a unique evolution in our foreign policy. I’ve been doing this all my life and I haven’t seen that we’ve stayed immersed in such an intimate relationship as we now have with the SIDS. So, it’s not so much a strategy, as it is a partnership.”

The officials also spoke of the importance of the European Union as a trade and investment gateway for the Caribbean and the potential for Ireland to play a gateway role into Europe for SIDS.

Tourism and culture were also discussed, and the Ambassador shared that an agreement was made with the Barbados Museum and Historical Society to host an exhibition later this year entitled “Entangled Islands”.

Also participating in the courtesy call were Senior Foreign Service Officer, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer II, Shireifa Joseph; Ireland’s Head of Office for the Caribbean, Sharon Lennon; and Ireland’s Political Counsellor, Aoife Erraught. (PR/GIS)

Government

Mental Health Workers: Champions Of Change Across Communities

Employees of the Psychiatric Hospital have been urged to see themselves as champions of change across Barbados, to lessen the stigma of mental illness.

This message was conveyed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, at the 2025 Employee Rewards and Recognition Ceremony of the Psychiatric Hospital, last Saturday, at Mahogany Ridge, Plum Tree Road, St. James.

Held under the theme Excellence in Healthcare Delivery, the event saw the Minister lauding staff, for “a tremendous job” and encouraging them to continue working to uplift their brothers and sisters, as they daily handle acute cases of mental health.

Mr. Ishmael, who stressed that many people needed an uplifting hand, given the several mental health challenges faced by society, suggested a comforting word or hug, could help bring such persons back from the precipice.

He praised the hospital’s anti-stigma campaign and emphasised it needed to be embraced to break down the mental blockades which lend to persons taking a stand-off approach to mental illness.

The Minister stated: “I want us, as champions of mental health in our country, to see ourselves as bigger than the Psychiatric Hospital and see yourselves as part of the messengers that have to go out there on a daily basis, within your various conversations, …wherever people are….

“Take a moment to encourage those who are around you to take better care of their mental health, so we can avoid, and we can pull back some of this discrimination, some of these unfortunate incidents that we are seeing in our country because we really have to do better in this country, and it begins with all of us.”

He also reminded staff that excellence in mental health required not only clinical knowledge and technical skill, but profound empathy, patience, resilience, and an unwavering belief in human dignity. And Mr. Ishmael stressed it was for this reason several of them were being honoured for consistently demonstrating this belief, not only through words but through action.

“You remind us that compassion is not just a value. It is practice. You are the reason that hope reaches the hopeless, and healing touches the broken,” he stated.

Several staffers received long service awards for having spent 10 to 40 years at the Black Rock, St. Michael institution. Social worker, Cecilia Ramsay received the 40-year award while Senior Nursing Officer, Alfred Alleyne was bestowed the 35-year award. Both were presented by Minister Ishmael.

Three people received the Hospital Director’s Award – Infection Control Officer, Selvin Greenidge; Deputy Principal Nursing Officer, Michelle Moore; and Department Aide, Rodney Stuart. The hospital also recognised its retirees and presented the “Friends of Psychiatric Hospital Award” to four persons – Peter ‘Peter Ram” Wiggins, Geoffrey “Biggie Irie” Cordle, Nikita Herbert, and Faith Callender – for their voluntary service to the institution and championing mental health initiatives. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Senior Nursing Officer at the Psychiatric Hospital, Alfred Alleyne (right), is presented with the 35-year award by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael at the hospital’s awards ceremony last Saturday.

Government

EDMUND HINKSON RESIGNS

Speaker of the House of Assembly The Hon Arthur Holder shortly after the sitting began today read a letter of resignation submitted by the Hon. Edmund Hinkson representative for St. James North.

The letter stated ‘In accordance with Section 45 (1) b of the Constitution of Barbados, I hereby give notice that I shall resign from the Parliament of Barbados a the Member for the Constituency of St. James North effective Friday April 25th, April, 2025 at 10am.

Government

Prime Minister Mottley Pays Tribute To Pope Francis

The world today feels like a lonely place with the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. For me, Pope Francis was the beacon of global moral strategic leadership.

I confess that it was Pope Francis’ writings and teachings that guided and inspired me through the dark and desolate days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as I worked with others to lead Barbados through that period of grave uncertainty. He was, in every sense, my hero.

I was later humbled to have spent time with him late last year, where he reinforced in me the importance of always aligning our hearts, our heads, and our hands with our faith – to see, hear, and feel all people, so that we may help them, and to protect our planet.

His voice comforted and inspired many. His hands led him to places where others dared not go, and His heart knew no boundaries. His humour and his laughter were not only infectious but calming.

Let us, each and every day, see, hear, and feel people—to fight the globalisation of indifference. In so doing, we will walk the road he paved tirelessly to the very end of his life.

If we dare to live with heart, to serve with courage, humility, and to love without borders—then Pope Francis still walks among us.

May His soul forever rest in peace. (PR/GIS)