Government

Change Of Command And Promotions At The BDF

Effective Wednesday, September 18, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell will assume the position of Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Lovell’s appointment and promotion to the rank of Brigadier were recently announced in The Official Gazette.

In addition, Commander Mark Peterson has been promoted to the rank of Captain (Naval) and appointed to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff, while Major Julia DaBreo has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed to the post of Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment.

Also, Lieutenant Commander Derrick Brathwaite has been appointed to the post of Commanding Officer of the Barbados Coast Guard and promoted to the rank of Commander.

Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell is a highly qualified senior officer who brings to the post of Chief of Staff, a wealth of military experience, passion, energy and a vision to take the Force into the future.

His recent postings were Military Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Principal Staff Officer, Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment and Aide-de-Camp to the former Governor-General of Barbados. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, vision and strategic acumen in his various appointments.

Lieutenant Colonel Lovell will succeed Commodore Errington Shurland, who will officially retire from the Barbados Defence Force on September 18. Commodore Shurland will be promoted to Rear Admiral and continue his duties as Executive Director of the Regional Security System.

Lieutenant Colonel Lovell stated: “I am truly honoured, and humbled, by the confidence reposed in me to lead this Barbados Defence Force which comprises the bravest, most disciplined, and committed officers and soldiers in the Caribbean.

“I eagerly look forward to this opportunity to build on the successes of Commodore Shurland and to positively impact the lives of the men and women under my command. I firmly believe that, once we work together, we can overcome any obstacle in pursuit of excellence.”

In the execution of his duties, Lieutenant Colonel Lovell will be ably assisted by Commander Mark Peterson as Deputy Chief of Staff. Commander Peterson also brings to the Force a wealth of experience and a distinguished record of service to this vital role. He has demonstrated notable leadership, strategic acumen and an unwavering dedication to the mission of the Barbados Defence Force.

Commander Peterson has served as Staff Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Commanding Officer of the Barbados Coast Guard and Staff Officer, Operations and Training.

With a deep understanding of the Force’s core values and mandate, Commander Peterson noted that: “I am truly humbled and appreciative of this appointment and opportunity to serve the Barbados Defence Force and wider Barbados. I am excited about the Force’s future and look forward to working with this outstanding body of committed men and women to achieve our objectives and uphold the high standards of the Barbados Defence Force.”

As the members of the Barbados Defence Force anticipate its Change of Command ceremonial aspects, Commodore Shurland has been instrumental in strategically positioning the Force to plan for its modern operational environment, while mitigating against all threats to safeguard Barbados’ interests.

Commodore Shurland reflected that “it has been a privilege to serve with such a unique and dedicated set of people, who sacrifice daily and contribute to the Force’s mission and Barbados’ development”. He further noted that he has all the confidence in Lieutenant Colonel Lovell’s and Commander Peterson’s abilities to lead this and the future Barbados Defence Force with purposeful dedication and vision.

There will be a formal Change of Command Parade and Sunset Ceremony on Wednesday, September 18, at St. Ann’s Fort, beginning at 4.30 p.m. The ceremony will be attended by members of the Government, the Defence Board, the Diplomatic Corps, senior officials, military personnel, specially invited guests and members of the media. (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)