Government Information Service Newsletter - Vol. 2, Issue 1 - 2021

NEWSLETTER GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

Monday, Jan. 11 2020

Vol. 2, Issue 01

Ministry of Education

OUTLINES PLANS

FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

INSIDE PAGE 05

PRIME MINISTER HINTS AT NEED TO GET TOUGHER WITH ENFORCEMENT OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

PAGE 07

GRENADA RELYING ON PAHO/WHO CERTIFIED VACCINE

PAGE 12

PRIME MINISTER AFFIRMS THE LEGALITY OF GRENLEC BUYBACK

AND MUCH MORE...

GIS NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS

GIS DIRECTOR AG Leslieann Johnson PRESS SECRETARY Philomena Robertson GIS REPORTERS Mina Booker Keville Frederick Carrema Lewis Delroy Louison Abigeil Mc Intyre Chrisan Mitchell Annette Moore Shere-Ann Noel June Paul Eugenia Peters Rickisha St. Louis Jazelle Sylvester DESIGN & LAYOUT Dwayne Francique EDITOR Leslieann Johnson

Vol. 2 Issue 01

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Ministry of Education Outlines Plans for Student Engagement The Ministry of Education will implement a phased approach to the return of students to the classroom from Monday January 11, 2021.

Chief Education Officer Mrs. Angella Finlay says priority will be given to all students preparing for CXC and CPEA Examinations in May and June.

Schools with a small population can submit a proposal to the Ministry for approval to implement a full return of all students. Mrs. Finlay said “We are aware that there are other Chief Education Officer Mrs. Angella Finlay schools with very small numbers.

In some cases the population of the smaller schools would be eclipsed by a single grade level within another school.

So when we are saying entire grades for some of the bigger schools, we realize that for some of the smaller schools, their total population would be of the same amount”.

The Chief Education Officer explained that during the week of January 18th, each school will implement its school specific plan, which will cater to a blended learning approach. She said “In that mix no student should be home without face to face or on site engagement. So if it is at least one day per week, we expect that the school specific plan will make it possible for every child to be in school.

Ideally we would like them to be there for at least three days per week because we are thinking about success which in our part of the world goes with a fifty percent pass rate. It is sort of foolhardy to think that we can have a child go to school for twenty percent of the week and be able to have a fifty percent curriculum coverage”.

The Chief Education Officer is encouraging teachers to ensure that where the twenty percent attendance rate is not possible, there is remote contact with students to allow them to get up to at least the fifty percent mark with content coverage”.

With the health of students high on its priority list, the Ministry will be contracting additional cleaners and monitors in time for the reopening of schools on Monday January 11th.

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Vol. 2, Issue 01

Prime Minister Receives Courtesy Call From New Chinese Ambassador

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Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has welcomed the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada, His Excellency Wei Hongtian.

Receiving a courtesy call from the new Ambassador recently, Dr. Mitchell expressed a desire to see the two countries continue to work closely together.

He said, “Grenada has been the beneficiary of significant support from China, including financial support and in a number of other areas such as education, health care and agriculture. As I welcome you today, it is my hope that through you, our countries can continue to work closely together to further mutual development objectives. We worked closely with your predecessor and we certainly look forward to continued collaboration.”

Dr. Mitchell noted that the ambassador’s period of service comes at a time when the world is facing an enormous and unique challenge.

He said, “We have to find unusual and innovative ways to adapt and deal with this pandemic, the health issues related to it, the social problems that are arising because of it and the serious political considerations. If there was ever a time for the world to work together, it would be now. It does not matter where you come from or what your philosophy is, the fact is, we are facing this deadly virus and we must work together.”

In his response, the Chinese Ambassador gave assurances that he will spare no effort in further developing the relationship between Grenada and China.

With respect to the ongoing pandemic, he said China is committed to cooperation with countries and international organisations in fighting COVID-19.

China’s new Ambassador to Grenada Wei Hongtian presents gift to Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

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New Chinese Ambassador Presents Credentials

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Governor General H.E. Dame Cecile La Grenade meets China’s new Ambassador to Grenada Wei Hongtian

China’s new Ambassador to Grenada Wei Hongtian has attributed the new chapter of friendship between both countries to the personal commitment and efforts of their leaders which have helped to deepen political mutual trust.

When he presented his credentials to Governor General H.E. Dame Cecile La Grenade on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, the new Ambassador hailed the partnership between both countries in the fight against COVID-19.

He used the opportunity to assure of his willingness to further the diplomatic relations between Grenada and the People’s Republic of China. “We are convinced that building on the existing good foundation, this bilateral relationship will further grow in depth and strength.

Your Excellency, I am honoured to be appointed Ambassador Extraordinary of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada, and at the same time humbled by the important responsibility entrusted to me. I will exert my best efforts to further our bonds and relations between our two countries and the friendship between our two peoples. I am confident in carrying out this important mission, I will receive great support and assistance from your Government”.

Governor General Her Excellency, Dame Cecile La Grenade spoke to the support received from the People’s Republic of China that has yielded successful results.

These include the National and Athletic stadium and the Chinese Low-Income Housing project.

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Prime Minister Hints at Need to get Tougher with Enforcement of COVID-19 Protocols Prime Minister and Minister for National Security, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has identified a need to get tougher with the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols.

Dr. Mitchell’s comment comes against the backdrop of persons and businesses not fully implementing or complying with the recommended protocols.

During a recent interview on the television programme, ‘Perspectives’, Dr. Mitchell said, “We have to be tougher in a general sense going forward, but we need everybody on board in dealing with this.”

The Prime Minister spoke specifically about facilities providing quarantine for returning nationals and visitors, some of which he said did not operate as agreed, thereby creating potential risks for persons.

He said, “The problem of compliance extended to several quarantine facilities where persons did not demonstrate the anticipated level of responsibility, forcing Government in some instances to issue warnings.”

Dr. Mitchell acknowledged that some have advocated for a full lockdown when the recent cluster was detected, but lockdown he explained, has its own its repercussions. He said, “One has to be extremely careful when you talk about limiting people’s basic freedom and rights, you must have overriding reasons to do it. I believe we were doing reasonably okay and did not see the need to create other serious problems that could emanate from lockdown.”

In all of this, Dr. Mitchell said, while Government has a responsibility to lead the fight against COVID-19, there must be compliance and everyone must be on board fighting this dreaded disease.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

HEALTH MATTERS

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TIME TO GET SERIOUS

We must take COVID-19 seriously if we are to avoid any more deaths related to the virus.

That warning from Chief Medical Officer (Ag.) Dr. Shawn Charles.

It comes in the wake of the death of a seventy-two year old male; Grenada’s first COVID-19 related death.

There are more than 84 million confirmed COVID-19 cases globally and more than one million people have died.

In the Caribbean, as of January 4th 2021, more than three hundred thousand cases were confirmed and there were five thousand deaths.

Dr. Charles called for stricter adherence to the regulations to prevent further spread of the virus.“This is the day that we have been working so hard to prevent. This is the scenario that we have been working hard and educating the public that may occur. Grenada is not immune, we have worked hard to ensure that we remain safe, if we do not take COVID-19 seriously it may happen again. This is not something that we welcome, but it is an outcome that the world has been dealing with since the start of this pandemic. I am asking the public once again, to be serious about COVID-19, stop the noise. We are not immune, we are not special. If we are not careful we can have the same scenario repeat over and over again”.

Government has appointed a Committee, which will examine all the details surrounding the first COVID related death in the country.

The committee comprises representatives from the public and private sectors, and is chaired by former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Mitchell. “The formation of the committee is principally and primarily to look at mechanisms and

ways to ensure that as much as is practical, that we can put systems and mechanisms in place so that we can try and prevent more deaths related to COVID..I think the committee that has been announced is well placed to do just that.”.

Other members of the committee are Dr. Emma Herry-Thompson, Dr. Beverly Nelson, Dr. Shawn Charles, Dr. Tyhesia Donald and Ms. LeslieAnn Seon, who is the Deputy Chair.

Following its investigation, the com-

Chief Medical Officer (Ag.) Dr. Shawn Charles

mittee will present a report to the Cabinet.

HEALTH MATTERS

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Grenada Relying on PAHO/WHO Certified Vaccine

The Ministry of Health says Healthcare providers will be among the first in Grenada to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shawn Charles says once a decision is made on the type of vaccine Grenada will acquire, through collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, frontline workers will be given priority. “In terms of the priority for vaccination, I believe that because of our small health work force, we need to protect them and to ensure that they are up and functioning and keep the system running, so our frontline workers in particular health care providers will be our priority group for vaccinations.

Of course there are persons with underlying “One of those vaccines has already been certified conditions, there are also high up in the priority

by WHO, that one which is the Pfizer bioNTech has for vaccination”. challenges logistically, not just for us, but for even Grenada has already signed onto the CO-VAC facility with PAHO and WHO. the first world nations that are implementing it.

Dr. Charles said the expansion of the priority group will depend on the quantity of vaccine the country can obtain. “Our plan addresses which of these vaccines that we have the capacity to deploy right now, and I can tell you at present we do not have the capacity to neither store nor deploy the ultra-cold chain vaccines, those that require minus eighty degrees or so”.

In today’s headlines there are questions about the rate of implementation. It is because it needs what is referred to as extreme cold chain, it has to be kept at minus seventy two degrees throughout its process. Getting it here as well as storing it here before distribution poses challenges. We

Health Minister Hon. Nickolas Steele says Grena- have not ruled that out”. da’s focus will be on accelerating the process for acquiring the vaccine.

Minister Steele emphasized that all travelers arrivHe is confident that with the guidance of the World Health Organisation, Grenada can bypass ing in Grenada, even if they were vaccinated overall the logistical and health challenges and find seas, are expected to quarantine at an approved the right vaccine. facility on island.

HEALTH MATTERS

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Vol. 2, Issue 01

Testing Fee of $150USD Implemented for Grenada

All arriving travellers to Grenada are now required to pay a one-time $150.00 USD ($410.00 XCD) Coronavirus (COVID-19) test fee, which will cover their day-four test or any test taken while on Island. This came into effect on Friday, January, 1, 2021 Children under five years of age are exempt from taking any Coronavirus (COVID-19) test in Grenada.

Travellers can pay the test fee ahead of their trip through a simple, convenient and user-friendly online system, which can be accessed at pay.gov.gd.

If unable or unwilling to pay through the online system ahead of the trip, all incoming passengers will be required to pay this fee at the Maurice Bishop International Airport upon arrival.

Although this has been a plan in place since Grenada reopened its borders in July, it has so far only applied to individuals in home quarantine.

Up until now, all other travellers have been tested at the expense of the State.

Geo-fencing devices are now available for travelers in home quarantine or at designated smaller hospitality accommodations, so that those individuals can be actively and continually monitored.

The $55.00 USD ($150.00 XCD) payment for the devices can also be completed online through the same site; pay.gov.gd, or can be made upon arrival at the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Francis Martin

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Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

addresses students at assembly

Plaque of appreciation presented to Prime Minister

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Vol. 2, Issue 01

Grenada Appoints Its First Female Attorney General

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Grenada has appointed its first female Attorney General.

Ms. Dia Forrester, a practicing attorney for the past twelve years, took up her appointment on January 1, 2021.

Ms. Forrester who was called to the Grenada bar in 2008, has a wealth of experience, having practiced in St. Kitts & Nevis and Anguilla, where she held the position of Partner in the prominent civil and commercial law firm Daniel Brantley.

Forrester returned to Grenada in April 2019 to serve as the country’s Solicitor General.

During an interview with the GIS Forrester stated that she believed the timing was right to serve her country.“I always consider that if I am going to return to Grenada it would not be viable for me to return mainly in private practice and settle. I have a consistent need to serve people, and I think when I came in as Solicitor General, it gave me the opportunity to serve a cross section of people. As a Solicitor General, you are serving the entire country, you are serving the Government and all of the Ministries, so that scope was very important to me to have”.

Being approached to hold the position of Attorney General is one that Forrester says has renewed her thrust to deliver service to her country that will be in keeping with the law of the land. “I do so with the comfort of knowing that the law is the law, the Constitution is the Constitution, and critics will criticize, but more importantly what is good, right and just will always prevail. I am clear in the task ahead of me and it is not lost on me the significance of the occasion, because I do un-

Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade with Attorney General, Dia Forrester

derstand that I am the first female Attorney General, so I should take a moment to thank all of the women who came before me and would have laid the foundation for me to be the way I am today and likewise my present group of female warriors who keep me grounded and keep me conscious that I must do my best at all times. And of course that means I must serve without fear or favour”.

Ms. Forrester added “I am thankful for the confidence bestowed in me by the Honourable Prime Minister, his cabinet and government and what I can say to individuals is that my work speaks for itself”.

Attorney General, Dia Forrester

Ms. Forrester holds a Master of Laws degree in International Banking and Finance Law from University College London, a Legal Education Certificate of Merit from the Hugh Wooding Law School, and a Bachelor of Laws Degree with Honors from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

GIS NEWSLETTER

EDUCATION CORNER

Vol. 2, Issue 01

Handover Ceremony, ANSA MCAL – Ministry of Education

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Hon. Emmalin Pierre Minister for Education, and Ron Antoine Managing Director, Carib Brewery Grenada Limited

The Ministry of Education has received one hundred tablets from the Ansa McCal group of companies.

They will be used in the Ministry’s E-Learning initiative, which includes the distribution of devices to students and teachers at Primary and Secondary schools.

Minister for Education, Human resource development, Religious affairs and Information, Hon Emmaline Pierre expressed deep appreciation for the advancement and development of the education sector and for continued support.

line with COVID only, but I want to put it in line with the transformation that we should be speaking about in terms of education and where we are going”.

If we’re speaking about sustainable development of our country and we don’t speak Education, we’re in a lot of trouble. This contribution here will go a long way, not just in dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 but the whole transformation of the landscape of education and the future of our country”.

Chief Education Officer Mrs. Angella Finlay gives the assurance that the devices will be distributed to students in need, and will be used to optimize their learning.

“I want to express our deepest appreciation to the Ansa McCal Foundation for what I consider not just a gesture that is timely, but one which is very much in line with the advancement and development of Ron Antoine, representative from the Education. I do not want to put it in Ansa McCal group of companies said

his company is happy to contribute towards the development of the nation’s future. “At the Ansa McCal group of companies we recognize that we all have to pull together to really make this a success. I first want to recognize the good work by the Ministry of Education, the teachers and all the frontline workers. We are in fact happy to make this contribution today to aid in this effect.

The Ansa McCal Foundation is an arm of Ansa McCal group of Companies, here in Grenada we have two companies existing; that is Grenada Breweries and Sissons Paint Grenada and we are really happy to play our part. This is just the beginning, we hope to do more.”

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Prime Minister Affirms The Legality of Grenlec Buyback

tempting to ask a question, will talk about illegal acts.

We will demonstrate the correctness and legality and the beneficial aspect of that particular acquisition which was done in the best interest of the country.”

He reiterated that Government was forced into the buyback position because it sought to make changes to the energy sector which led the company to initiate force majeure proceedings against the Government.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has affirmed the correctness and legality of Government’s buyback of majority shares in GRENLEC. Posed with a question about the legality of the action during a live interview on Thursday Thursday, January 7, 2020 Dr. Mitchell said Government did not break any laws in concluding the buyback arrangement. The Prime Minister said this will be borne out during next week’s sitting of Parliament, which will discuss the GRENLEC issue.

Dr. Mitchell said Government made a concerted effort to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. He expressed satisfaction with the handling of Government’s negotiations with respect to GRENLEC and commended Government’s lead negotiators, Honourable Gregory Bowen and Honourable Oliver Joseph.

The Prime Minister stated, “In the parliamentary session, we will provide details to the nation regarding the acquisition of those shares and the basis upon which it was done. It is unfortunate that the opposition, without at-

Dr. Mitchell is confident that reclaiming ownership of GRENLEC will translate into significant benefits for electricity consumers and for stimulating greater activity in the manufacturing sector.

He said, “It is about more than reducing electricity rates. Remember, the world is moving towards reducing the use of fossil fuel and adopting more renewable sources of energy. Under the WRB arrangement, Grenada was not able to utilise the availability of alternative energy, which would help protect the environment.”

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Government does not intend to maintain possession of the majority shares in GRENLEC for any long period.

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Installation of Led Solar Lights

The Royal Grenada Police Force is providing better signs that are critical visibility for motorists, through the installation of LED for motorists along the reflectors on large speed bumps. public road, so we’re looking forward with The solar powered lights have already been installed on bumps in Beausejour, Woodlands, River Road, and great anticipation for the continued support St. David. from the Ministry of InHead of the Traffic Department Superintendent Randy frastructure DevelopConnaught says there are plans to undertake a simiment.” lar initiative islandwide. “We are working closely with the Ministry of Infrastructure to install these lights on some of the speed bumps across the island. It is our intention to look at the entire length and breadth of the country in order to ensure that there is an even distribution of the lights on those critical bumps that are larger than the normal speed bumps that we’re accustomed to”.

The Traffic Department is collaborating with the Ministry of Infrastructure to implement other methods to ensure safety of the populace. “From Discussion with the Transport Authority, we can reasonably expect in the New Year, the deployment of adequate warning signs ahead of speed bumps and many of the other

Head of the Traffic Department Superintendent Randy Connaught

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Vol. 2, Issue 01

NIS Benefits For Persons in Quarantine or Self Isolation

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Employees and Self-employed persons who are contributors to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) can claim for sickness benefits if they have been instructed by health officials to quarantine or self-isolate.

That’s according to Ms. Lisa Douglas, the Scheme’s Public Relations Officer.

“The National Insurance law makes allowances for persons to claim, if they have been in contact, or are deemed to be a carrier of any infectious disease, and have to be quarantined. So in the case of COVID, if you are required to quarantine, or you are required to self-isolate, in which case you are not required to see the doctor, you can still claim for a sickness benefit”.

tion and they would get the form to their employer.

The employer must complete their section and they would scan and email the form to us or it can be submitted via our website, they have that option”.

A new sickness benefit claim form has been “In those two cases a medical report from the doctor designed specifically for this purpose, and is not necessary. Now if it is a case where the person can be downloaded from the NIS website or has been diagnosed with COVID-19, in that case you collected from any NIS office. need a medical certificate in which case they would If applying for the quarantine or self-isolation use the old sickness benefit claim form, the one where sickness benefit, employers can certify the the Doctor is required to complete their section, state sick-leave period. “They must ensure that their nature of illness, and your sick leave period bethey get the new sickness benefit claim form, which is the COVID-19 sickness benefit claim cause in that case you have been diagnosed with form, the employee will complete their sec- COVID-19”.

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Prime Minister Welcomes Appointment of Attorney General and Commissioner of Police Prime Minister and Minister for National Security, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has welcomed the appointment of Grenada’s first female Attorney General, Dia Forrester and the confirmation of Edvin Martin to the position of Commissioner of Police.

In an interview on the Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, Dia Forrester Edvin Martin MTV programme, Perspectives, Dr. Mitchell he said provided tremendous support to the Govsaid both individuals have demonstrated a high level of professionalism ernment and wished him well in his return to private and he is confident of their ability to serve adequatepractice. ly in their respective capacities.

Speaking specifically about the new Attorney General, Dia Forrester, who previously served as the Solicitor General, Dr. Mitchell said the feedback from people in the legal profession, staff in the Ministry of Legal Affairs and others in the public service with whom she interacted, is that she is a well-respected professional.

He said, “She is deemed to be professionally strong person and is well-poised to give guidance to the Government in the area of legal affairs. She has demonstrated considerable honesty and integrity that is certainly what we want in the office of the Attorney General. We are extremely lucky to have her, she is young and has the right energy for the job. In my own interaction with her, I have found her to be very honest and straightforward, not one for political games.”

With respect to the confirmation of the Commissioner of Police, Dr. Mitchell said, “He has acted for a reasonable period of time and has demonstrated the required level of professionalism. I believe the commissioner must be independent because the person is responsible for protecting all of the citizens in the country, irrespective of their religious and political views and other social considerations. So far, Commissioner Martin has demonstrated that type of behaviour and attitude. Therefore in my view, the Public service Commission did the right thing by confirming him in that position to give some certainty to the

leadership of the police force, which is a critical area The Prime Minister commended the work of the outgoing Attorney General, Darshan Ramdhani whom of national security.”

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Vol. 2, Issue 01

Boulder Falls In St. John

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Parliamentary Representative for the Constituency of St. John Hon. Alvin DaBreo meets with affected family

Parliamentary Representative for the Constituency of St. John Hon. Alvin DaBreo says government will provide the necessary support and assistance to the families affected

by Thursday’s boulder slippage at Gouyave Estate.

On Thursday, Minister Dabreo who was accompanied by an assessment team from the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) paid a visit to the families and evaluated the site from where the boulder dislodged.

Minister Dabreo says Government will assist in relocating the families to a safer location and provide housing assistance through the Ministry of Social Development.“They were renting, we will help one family to get some housing assistance through the Ministry of Social Development.

The other family, they’re just interested in securing a piece of land, so they can construct their own house, so we will work with them to get some assistance in that re-

gard. We just have to help them to top of the hill from what I can see, relocate because it would not be there is no immediate danger. safe to leave them there until they do some structural repairs to that However, the Ministry of Works house”. will send an Engineer to assess the Minister DaBreo says the Ministry area. From the visual inspection, of Infrastructure Development will further assess the area, as it was everything looks good, I spoke to discovered that two other large the residents and there is no panstones have shifted from their ic.The other two stones that are original positions. there, I think that they can be blastAlthough they pose no immedi- ed on site. I think there is a system ate threat, he said an Engineer in which you can blast it without will visit the site to propose the best solution to prevent a reoc- explosives, but I think that will be currence. “What we noticed is at the answer for the other two”. the top there are two stones that came down with the big one, but they’re not in any immediate threat of coming down.

One was stopped by a tree and the other one went in where the soil was soft. At the

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GRENADA FOOD AND NUTRITION COUNCIL CORNER

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GRENADA FOOD AND NUTRITION COUNCIL CORNER

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NEWSLETTER GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

Monday, Jan. 11, 2020

Vol. 2, Issue 01

Different Structure For Grenada’s

INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS

Grenada’s 47th Independence anniversary celebrations will be observed under a different structure this year, in keeping with the current health regulations and protocols.

That’s according to Culture Minister, Hon. Yolande Bain Horsford.

The almost month-long celebration period runs from January 17th to February 14th, under the theme “Rebuilding together a safer, more resilient nation in these challenging times”.

Culture Minister, Chairman of the Celebrations Minister Bain-Horsford has pledged her Ministry’s supHon. Yolande Bain Horsford Committee John Williams port to the National Celebrations Committee as it endeavours to make this year’s activities a reality in the face of COVID-19. “The independence celebrations have been our The independence Calypso Competition will be held virtumost prominent event over the years, and have involved detailed ally on February 5th. The deadline for submission in the planning and coordinating to ensure that the activities are specpreliminary round is January 15th. tacular and impactful for all Grenadians. However this year as we prepare to commemorate the forty-seventh year of independence, our approach for the celebrations will have to be different Adrian Mark is the Committee Member responsible for the because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the protocols established. Competition. He says nine finalists will be announced on We are unable to have the splendor of these activities that we en- January 22nd, to challenge the reigning monarch Sour Serpent. “This year we will be writing on the theme. Any songs joyed over the years because times have changed.” outside of the theme will not be in competition. We have Chairman of the Celebrations Committee John Williams says most, some serious calypsonians this time around and the four if not all of the events will be held virtually. “From February 1-6, we time Independence Monarch has indicated that he will be will be doing parish beautification and we are asking parishes and in competition this year, so we are looking forward to a lot constituencies to do something in line with what has been done in of things, and other national calypso champions will be in previous years. On February 5, we are looking at the inter-ministecompetition. rial competition .In 2021 we have identified a committee to oversee that aspect of the celebration, as a theme will be instituted.

Calypsonians are urged to submit their songs on a CD or National colours day will also be held on February 5th. Mr. Wil- flash drive.

liams says they will encourage schools, organizations, businesses and Grenadians in general, who were involved in previous years to please dress up and display our national colours, following the COVID rules and guidelines

Events in Carriacou will be held from January 17-27, and will include a church service, radio quiz, road relay and tennis tournament.