Government

Afreximbank To Invest BDS $360 Million To Build New Headquarters

The construction of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre at Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael, on approximately two hectares of land, is expected to cost over BDS $360 million, and bring about 1,000 jobs.

Additionally, the bank has pledged $7 million to be placed in the soon-to-be established Urban Transformation Fund to improve housing in the environs of Jemmotts Lane.

These details were disclosed on Monday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the bank’s office block and hotel complex.

Speaking during the ceremony, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley revealed that the Hyatt Hotel will also be contributing BDS $2 million to the fund.

“In addition to the construction of the buildings and the investment of $360 million Barbados dollars, you have put on the table also a commitment, which you discussed with me only today, of $3.5 million US dollars or $7 million Barbados dollars to be placed in the soon to be established Urban Transformation Fund that will allow those who live in the shadows of this site, to be able to have a better life for their families. Urban transformation is not only about buildings, but that is where it must start,” Ms. Mottley stressed.

She also stated that she was “cognisant of the history of the site”, which previously housed the old Geriatric Hospital, built for emancipated slaves and opened in 1844; the old Ministry of Health Complex; and the Ministry of Education, among others.

It is for this reason, the Prime Minister proffered: “My Government stands proud here today to be able to bring into the pantheon of financial institutions in this country, the Afreximbank, not simply as an entity that is leasing a building from somebody for an office but that as someone who is now about to lay roots and foundation in this country, the first outside of the continent of Africa.

“In so doing, we send the signal that we intend to be able to reclaim our Atlantic destiny in ways that allow us not simply to look north, but to continue to look east, west and south.”

Ms. Mottley stressed that the site, the focal point for tending to “sick bodies” in 1844, would soon be the place for those “who need prosperity in the Americas from this site here in Bridgetown”.

“And I, therefore, Professor Oramah, ask you to accept, on behalf of the Afreximbank, this clear offer of the Government of Barbados to make available this just over two hectares of land, to ensure that an investment that will bring jobs to the people of Barbados…, that will bring foreign exchange…, that will bring investment opportunities to the people of the region….

“This is first and foremost also a trade centre that you so accepted, recognising that the history of the site and the location of the site carries with it so much more than we can ever contain in his speech from this platform,” she contended.

Ms. Mottley gave the assurance that the building’s location within a UNESCO World Heritage Site would be considered during the construction phase of the project, which should take approximately 30 months.

Meanwhile, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, said the African Trade Centre “underpinned” the delivery of the bank’s expanded ambitions within CARICOM that included improving two-way trade between the region and the African continent.

There were also remarks from the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, and other officials. Spoken Word artiste, Adrian Greene; Dancin’ Africa; and the Hasynesville Youth Club provided the entertainment for the evening’s proceedings. (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)