Government

We Gatherin’ 2025 Honours List – St. Joseph

Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, Freedom of Barbados, Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Dame of St. Andrew, Senior Counsel, Doctor of Laws, President of Barbados, has consented to the announcement of National Honours on the occasion of the We Gatherin’ 2025 National Celebrations.

Awards of National Honours for We Gatherin’ 2025

Pride of Barbados

‘A person who is a citizen of Barbados or is entitled to be registered as a citizen of Barbados; or is a permanent resident of Barbados and through sacrifice, diligence and dedication to service has made an outstanding contribution to community life in a parish in Barbados or to the improvement of economic and social conditions in a parish in Barbados.’

(Number of awards: Ten (10) persons who reside in the parish of St. Joseph and One (1) person who resided in the parish of St. Joseph.)

Local Awardees

Mr. Ryan Renaldo Brathwaite

A man of faith and selfless service, for his upliftment of the parish of St. Joseph through community restoration, youth and elderly outreach, and his unwavering support for education, sports and culture. His work at Hillview Centre, Edgecliff Church, and St. Joseph Primary exemplifies his outstanding dedication and integrity, making him a beacon of hope and a model citizen.

Mr. Cleophas Henry Gamble

From humble beginnings he has created a legacy of service and entrepreneurship in St. Joseph. Through his garage, car rental, mentorship, and charitable acts, he has empowered others and improved lives and livelihoods within his community. His selfless dedication, especially in times of need, reflects a life of purpose, compassion, and unwavering commitment to community development.

Pastor Albert Arrindal Cecil Gill

Affectionately known as Brother for his longstanding service to the St. Joseph community for over fifty years with humility, wisdom, and compassion. As a spiritual guide, counsellor, and mentor, he has selflessly inspired generations through quiet acts of service, steadfast leadership at Airy Hill Gospel Hall, and unwavering dedication to nurturing and supporting others especially the youth.

Mr. Victor Trevor Sylvestor Grant

For his dedication to improving community life through education and volunteerism. Though not formally assigned to a primary school in St. Joseph, he selflessly tutored many local children in the parish and prepared them for examination. For his unswerving commitment as an avid agriculturist and active community member, empowering youth, caring for the elderly, supporting local events, and generously sharing knowledge and advice.

Mrs. Ava Yvette Griffith

For her volunteerism and yeoman service to her community as a retired nurse and midwife serving with unwavering compassion and skill. A beloved mentor and caregiver, for her outstanding support through health education, nursing instruction and emergency response, “Auntie Ava” exemplifies selfless service and is known as one of the first persons at the scene of the Joe’s River mass casualty, rendering assistance to those in need.

Mr. Caleb Haldane Hinkson

For his unwavering and true community spirit through tireless, hands-on service. For his philanthropy from painting and power washing homes to repairing roofs after hurricanes and ensuring others receive proper healthcare. His dedication knows no bounds, he always put others first as he undertakes quiet acts of kindness and compassion that have profoundly improved lives and strengthened community bonds in his parish.

Mr. Harold Wendell Hinkson

For his outstanding commitment to the enrichment of St. Joseph through his contributions to the development of sports, historical preservation, and charitable giving. A former cricketer turned administrator, he fostered community spirit and camaraderie through sporting competitions in the parish. Known as the resident historian he is a repository of local knowledge and traditions, his quiet generosity and passion for heritage and youth advancement continue to inspire.

Mr. Ronald St. Clair Mayers

As a retired lifeguard and employee of the National Conservation Commission, for his dedication to safeguarding the beaches of Bathsheba and Barclays Park, local seabathers and visitors alike. In retirement, for his selfless service to maintaining public spaces in pristine condition, to caring for the elderly, and preserving the church graveyard. His quiet dedication, community spirit, and unwavering commitment to cleanliness and care reflect a life of true service.

Mr. Ethelbert Alonza Maynard

For decades of unstinting service as a creative to uplift and empower St. Joseph communities. For his philanthropy and outstanding contributions as a gifted designer, who has generously provided uniforms and garments—free of cost—for students, athletes, and Parish Ambassadors. Known for his compassion and steadfast commitment to assisting the less fortunate, his quiet acts of service continue to make a positive lasting impact parish-wide.

Ms. Velma Celeste Stoute

For her significant contributions to the socio-economic development of St. Joseph. As a proprietor of Velma’s Place in Bragg’s Hill she has made significant contribution the tourism and food and beverage industries and enriched her parish through her culinary excellence and warm hospitality. For over two decades, she has championed authentic Bajan cuisine, attracting locals and tourists alike. Her dedication to preserving cultural traditions and supporting community life has made her a beloved figure and a pillar of the parish’s identity.

Diaspora Awardees

Mrs. Sandra Taitt-Eaddy

For her years of dedicated service championing the cultural preservation and promoting St. Joseph through her dynamic virtual platform. Her tireless work and charitable outreach in the areas of housing and the provision of water have strengthened community ties, supported local tourism and improved the socio-economic circumstances of residents. Through her advocacy for heritage and her concerted efforts she has inspired pride, unity, and global awareness of the people, history, and natural beauty of the parish. (PR/GIS)

Government

PUBLIC NOTICES FOR THE BY ELECTION

FOR THE CONSTITUENCY OF ST JAMES NORTH

The by election to elect a member to serve the constituency of St James North will take place on May 21, 2025.

Government

Call For Global Community To Invest In Healthcare Infrastructure

The Government of Barbados is calling on the global community to support investments in healthcare infrastructure for all countries in order to address the current population trends and tackle emerging healthcare challenges as they arise.

Former Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Patrick McCaskie, expressed this view recently during his presentation at the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, held at UN Headquarters in New York, from April 7 to 11.

Mr. McCaskie led the Barbados delegation at the annual session, which was held under the theme Ensuring Health Life and Promoting Well-Being for All Ages.

The aim of the session was to review and assess the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development at the national, regional, and international levels and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The senior government official highlighted the progress made at the national level in ensuring universal coverage and access to quality preventative and curative care and services, including the adoption of a consistent childhood immunisation and vaccination programme and declines recorded in adolescent fertility rate, which fell from 33.5 per cent in 2017 to 26.29 per cent in 2020.

Mr. McCaskie stressed the need for national and global partnerships, stating that they were necessary to “strengthen the healthcare infrastructure through investment modalities that give recognition to the unique vulnerabilities and fiscal constraints of small island states”.

“Emphasis should be placed on the development of conducive financing mechanisms, in accordance with the Bridgetown Initiative,” he added.

During the event, the significance of demographic intelligence to informing evidence-based health policies, strengthening health systems, and promoting sustainable development was discussed during a forum on Demographic Intelligence for Health Equity: Harnessing Data for Inclusive Policies and Universal Coverage.

Participants were exposed to the potential insights and policy developments based on increased data access, with examples taken from Panama and Indonesia.

In his remarks, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, Ambassador François Jackman, advised that expanded access to up-to-date and quality information on the size, structure, and composition of the population, future projections through enhanced demographic intelligence would guide the work of policy to transform healthcare policy formulation and wider national development planning processes.

Ambassador Jackman further underscored the urgent need to pursue global and regional partnerships, including maximising opportunities for triangular and south-south cooperation, in order to transform our systems and support the implementation of the SDGs.

The Programme of Action, which was adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt in 1994, aims to address many of the fundamental population, health, education, and development challenges facing the entire human community. (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.