FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026
VOLUME 120, No. 30
Banana Artthe beginning Page 2
www.thevincentian.com
New gratuity law passed Page 13
Sir Garry Sobers Page 14
POLICE OFFICER ALLEGEDLY COMMITS SUICIDE
CoP gets tough Page 24
EC$1.50
Young people excel Page 32
Police Constable #1116 Kenrick Scott, serving as a member of the SSU, is believed to have committed suicide.
Stories by KENVILLE HORNE
questions than answers and raised concerns related to the Police Force THE SUDDEN DEATH OF A POLICE especially as it relates to the conduct of OFFICER has left many people with more its membership.
The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) confirmed the death of Police Constable #1116 Kenrick Scott, following an incident that occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The circumstances surrounding Constable Scott’s death are currently under investigation and the RSVGFP has promised that “further information will be provided once the relevant facts have been verified and the necessary investigative procedures have been completed.” According to a police source, the body of the constable was found in a wooded area after what is being described unofficially as a suicide. A photo of Constable Scott lying in the area where he allegedly shot himself, clearly shows what viewers of the photo assume is a police service weapon near to his left lower limb. And notwithstanding all the speculation that is expected, and Police Constable #1116 Kenrick Scott, serving as a member of the SSU, is believed to have committed suicide.
ensued following an incident like this one, which is not your everyday shooting death, the police high command has asked for public restraint and privacy for the family during this difficult period. A specific appeal was made to the to the media and citizens to refrain from speculation or the circulation of unverified information regarding the circumstances of the death. Some news agencies here, whether choosing to ignore the appeal or in fact referenced what they did before the appeal was made, have alluded to the constable being involved in a nefarious relationship with a family member, which, when reported to family members, may have driven the Constable to take his own life.
TRIPLE MURDER ROCKS KINGSTOWN A BRAZEN TRIPLE MURDER, just ‘steps’ away from the Central Police Station, Kingstown, has stunned the nation and raised serious concerns about the boldness of criminal activity in the capital. Police have confirmed that they have launched
an investigation into the fatal shooting of three men after officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots in the Chinatown area, at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Friday, July 17. Chinatown, located immediately opposite the Central Police Station,
on the opposite side of Bat Streel along which Station is located, is a centre of small business activity, bars that are venues for much domino and draughts games, and ssme say gambling, and base for cart operators. It is usually a well patronized area especially around the time of the shooting.
Claude John, dead was said to be a wellContinued on Page 3. known cart operator.
Giovannie Grant, dead - was no Johnny-comelately.
Karon Bowens, dead no stranger to guns and ammo.
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2. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026.THE VINCENTIAN ADVERTORIAL
People
The Banana Art and how it began
DURING A RECENT VISIT to Ethiopia, I had the privilege of spending a few minutes, literally, with Ras Hailu Tefari, formerly known as Bandi Payne. Ras Hailu currently resides in Addis Ababa, where he teaches Banana Art at the Eagle International English School. I caught up with him at the end of one of his classes. In our brief time together, we reminisced about our days together Haydn Marshal (left) and Ras Hailu Tefari share a brotherly at the St Vincent moment during Marshall’s visit to Ethiopia. Grammar School, particularly about incompatible with his new vegetarian our exploits on the cricket field. As we lifestyle and so began to concentrate parted, he gave me a few copies of his solely on banana art. The rest is book, ‘The Banana Art and How It history: awards in regional art Started’, to bring back to St. Vincent and competitions, workshops in Dominica, the Grenadines. exhibitions and studies in the United In the book, Ras Hailu traces his Kingdom, teaching positions in journey from the ten-year old boy in Ethiopia, gifting of his work to foreign Frenches, fascinated with a piece of heads of government, etc., etc. banana trunk that was “too pretty to Even as he lists his achievements, throw away”, to the accomplished Ras Hailu is careful to give credit to artist who has created over twelve those who have worked alongside him. thousand pieces of banana art and Among those mentioned are Kendal taught more than nine hundred “Bird Eye” Charles, Ras Izarius, students from countries such as St. Julian “Pilling” Pollard, Ulric Porter, Vincent and the Grenadines, and Stanley “Gruggs” Williams. Dominica, the United Kingdom, and He closes the section of appreciation Ethiopia. He talks about being with a special tribute to Nzimbu inspired by a collage of mixed Browne and Konka: “Much materials, including banana leaves, appreciation and gratefulness must be which he saw at the Frangipani Hotel extended to Nzimbu Browne and and of practicing the art by making Konka from Biabou district for dolly clothes for his sister out of carrying on the Banana Art baton in banana leaves. His other early my absence. Nzimbu really kept the ventures into the world of art included torch beaming even up to this day, works from goat skins, boley (gourds), 2020, with cultural expressions.” and bamboo. Apart from those actually engaged Ras Hailu speaks about his in the production of art, Ras Hailu conversion to the Rastafari faith in pays tribute to those who encouraged 1978 as a turning point in the him to persevere or sponsored his development of Banana Art. He found work. Among those are Louisa Clarke making art from goat skins to be Sutherland, the sponsor of the book, Bonnie and “Mackey” (“Mackie”) Browne, Cecil “Blazer” Williams, and Parnel Campbell. He also expresses gratitude to the Vincentian public in general. A copy of Ras Hailu’s book has been donated to the Kingstown Public Library. This will provide an opportunity for future generations to know about Ras Hailu, a true Vincentian treasure. Hadyn Marshall Haydn Marshall presents a copy of the book The Banana Art and How It Started’ to Michelle King-Campbell, Director of Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Services.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 3.
News 3 Hooded assailant attacks 70-year-old
Patrick Roberts, lucky to be alive after multiple wounds to his face and head. POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING a chopping incident that occurred in Barrouallie during the early morning hours of July 18. Patrick Roberts, a 70-year-old retiree received multiple chop wounds about his body, including to his head, by an unknown assailant, around 4
a.m. His sister, Weena Roberts-Douglas, told THE VINCENTIAN that the attack took place as her brother was making his way down to (the bayside) to get some fish. She said her brother told her that as he was making his way down to the beach, he saw an individual wearing a hooded sweater, commonly referred to as a ‘hoodie’, walking behind him. “He turned around and saw the person,” Roberts-Douglas said. The individual and would be attacker continued walking behind Patrick, his sister explained, and when he turned around a second time, the assailant proceeded to attack the elderly man. He received chop wounds about his arms, legs, chest, back and head, Roberts-Douglas said. The unprovoked attack ended when an individual who was standing at a nearby bus stop became involved and the assailant fled. According to Roberts-Douglas, the individual also called for medical attention for her injured brother. “He’s a lucky man, and he never lose consciousness and all that,” she added. According to Roberts-Douglas, her brother’s injuries were not too severe
Petition matters on July 28 FORMAL PROCEEDINGS in the election petitions filed against Dr. Godwin Friday and Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble will begin on July 28. “Next week, we’re going to have the cross-examinations of all the witnesses, the experts including the Canadian experts on citizenship law and the like, and then in November, there will be the formal presentation of the legal arguments,” Dr. Gonsalves, Leader of the Opposition said on radio on July 22. “I would wish if it had been moving along faster, but hopefully by the end of the year, we will hear the judgment of the court,” he said. Management hearings were held on March 5 after Augustus Carlos James and Luke Browne, candidates for the
Unity Labour Party (ULP) for the Northern Grenadines and East Kingstown seats, respectively challenged Friday and Bramble’s nominations to contest general elections held on November 27, 2025, on the basis that they voluntarily obtained Canadian citizenship. According to the Constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines Section 26(1)(a) candidates are not qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator if they by the ‘virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgment of bear allegiance or adherence to a foreign power or state’. Justice Gertel Thom, former member of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, will preside over the matter. (DD)
and did not warrant him being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He was also in good spirits. “But still you never know what will happen inside or anything like that, but for him to remain conscious,” she said. And while she is grateful that her brother survived the attack, she called on the relevant authorities to consider implementing a ban on hooded sweaters. “We don’t live in a cold climate,” Roberts-Douglas said. (DD)
Weena Roberts-Douglas, sister of the victim, has called for a ban on hooded sweaters.
Triple murder rocks Kingstown Continued from Frontpage. According to the RSVGPF, officers arrived at the scene and found three men suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims have been identified as Claude John, 50, a cart operator of Largo Height; Karon Bowens, 34, a labourer of Ottley Hall; and Giovannie Grant, 23, also a labourer of Ottley Hall. Police said investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify the individual or individuals responsible. A witness told THE VINCENTIAN that the masked attackers approached the area by sea before opening fire on the victims.
“Dem come and shoot up the man dem. People start to run all about, some even went in the direction of the police station. When dem finish, dem escape using a boat,” the witness claimed. A Kingstown resident told THE VINCENTIAN that he heard the discharge of the bullets from where he was in Sion Hill at the time, and he believed it had to come from a highpowered firearm. Grant and Bowens are no strangers to courts. Grant has been before the courts on charges of wounding (2026), theft (2026) and assault (2023) the latter for which he was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison. Bowens has on at least two occasions (2009 and 2017), charged and found guilty for the possession of unlicensed firearms and
ammunition. Indications are that John just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was not known to be associated with either Grant nor Bowens. The fatal incident has sent shockwaves throughout the country, not only because of the loss of life, but also because it occurred within proximity to Central Police Station, Kingstown, underscoring the brazenness of those responsible. Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward. The deaths of Grant, Bowens and John take the homicide count in St. Vincent and the Grenadines so afr for the year to 27. Forty homicides were recorded in 2025.
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4. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026.THE VINCENTIAN
Court
Justice system, health officials to meet
Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS
A MEETING INVOLVING MEMBERS of the justice system, and health officials, is expected to be convened here soon, to decide on a system to deal with persons who have mental health issues and are in conflict with the law. This was disclosed by newly appointed resident psychiatrist Cuban Dr. Elroy Asanza Castillo, during a sitting of the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday. Dr. Castillo was responding to question from attorney Grant Connell during the sentencing hearing of 27-yearold Kesroy Williams of Belair, for firearm and ammunition possession. Williams, who has a documented history of mental illness, was sent to the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre (MHRC) since February 6, 2026 for psychiatric evaluation, and the preparation of a report for
submission to the Court. Dr. Castillo, on July 14, deemed him fit to plead to the charges and participate in the Court process. The more than four months delays of the psychiatric report was due to the fact that there was no one qualified to do it, prior to Dr. Castillo’s recent appointment. While Dr. Castillo did not make any recommendations for sentencing, he told the Court on Tuesday that there are other cases like Williams’ in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which require attention. However, while he acknowledged that, “there is a problem,” he is of the view that there needs to be a holistic approach involving health officials and members of the justice system, to determine the way forward for these individuals. He assured that a meeting will be convened in this regard.
“We have a big job,” he admitted. Williams’ case is one of several matters before the Court involving persons with mental health issues, many of them with significant delays of their psychiatric reports. In reference to his report on Williams, the psychiatrist said that he was able to find out that Williams was a heavy marijuana user from the tender age of six. He was not attending to his follow up medical clinics, resulting in him not getting medication regularly. “We are a bit naive here with the concept that marijuana is fine, but it is not as simple as it looks, “Castillo opined. Marijuana may be less harmful than the other drugs, but it is still a problem, he emphasized. Williams was admitted to the MHRC for the first time in 2015, and has had subsequent admissions since then.
The psychiatric report also stated that Williams, an occasional farmer and construction worker who dropped out if school in Form 4, does not suffer from any physical medical conditions, but confirms a family history of psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia disorder in his grandmother. He not only uses marijuana heavily since age 6, but drinks alcohol frequently and smokes cigarettes. He is currently on medication with antipsychotic drugs. A nursing staff report describes him as calm, compliant and cooperative during his stay at the institution. A social worker’s report found an episode of close head trauma at the age of 15 or 16, which only required stitches and observation. “In his mitigation plea on Tuesday, Williams’ attorney Grant Connell told the Court, “Let us pray that the
Psychiatrist Dr. Elroy Asanza Castillo is looking forward to an inaugural meeting with justice and health personnel here. psychiatrist stays with us. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is like a big mental home.” Connell warned, “Is only one psychiatrist we have. We can’t play the fool with this one and lose him.” A psychiatrist, originally from India, who was hired by the government in 2023, left the job after only two months, reportedly because of the volume and type of work involved.
Man jailed after time spent at MHRC unknown, which is a prohibited weapon, without the authorization of the Minister. He was also sentenced to 15 months in prison for possession of a .32mm firearm, make and serial number unknown, without a license, and six months in prison for possession of three rounds of ammunition, without Kesroy Williams was eventually sentenced on license. The sentences, handed gun and ammunition down by Chief related charges. Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offences AFTER SPENDING Court, are to run FOUR MONTHS and two weeks at the Mental concurrently, which means that Williams will Health Rehabilitation Centre (MHRC), 27-year- serve only 15 months of the combined prison old Kesroy Williams of sentence. Belair was jailed for Williams had pleaded firearm and ammunition guilty to the charges on possession. Williams received the July 14, just two weeks after recently appointed penalties on Tuesday, psychiatrist Dr. Elroy despite efforts by his Asanza Castillo of Cuba, attorney Grant Connell to have him sent back to deemed him fit to plea and participate in the the institution. court process, but Williams was sentencing was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Tuesday for adjourned. In his mitigation plea possession of a firearm, make and serial number on Tuesday, Connell
recommended that Williams be housed at the MHRC, where he could receive his treatment as prescribed. He referenced the psychiatric report, which stated that Williams helped out at the institution during his time there, including helping to distribute food to the other patients. “He is not a danger to other patients. He may become a danger to those in prison if he does not take his medication as prescribed.” Connell said. But the Chief Magistrate agreed with Prosecutor Shamrock Pierre that the MHRC does not have the security capacity to house him. The Magistrate was of the view that Williams could be properly supervised and given his medication while in prison. After handing down the penalties, the Magistrate urged the defendant, “When your medication runs out, you must tell them,” referring to the prison authorities.
Before Williams left the dock, John advised, “Go round and behave yourself. Stop smoking weed.” In mitigation earlier, Connell asked the Court to place the offence in the lesser category in terms of seriousness. He highlighted the fact that Williams handed over the guns and ammunition to the police and they were not brandished at any point. Connell challenged the facts, highlighting that the police would not have known Williams had the firearms, had he not alerted the cops, as the defendant was part of an amnesty. The Magistrate agreed with Connell that the offense should be placed in the lesser category. In handing down the penalties, the Magistrate considered his good character, as referenced in the psychiatric report, genuine remorse, steps taken to address his condition and his assistance to the police. Williams had previous convictions, but only one of them was of a similar nature. He was also
given a one third discount for his guilty pleas. In applying the sentencing guidelines, the Magistrate weighed the mitigating factors against the aggravating to decide the penalties. The facts presented earlier showed that at around 2pm on February 5, 2026, Corporal 805 Atei Smith, acting on information, went to Georgie Gutter, Belair, along with officers from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and Major Crime Unite (MCU) in search of Williams. On arrival, the officers met him in his yard, talking to himself with a gun in his right hand. Corporal Smith shouted, “Police!” and asked him to drop the gun. Williams complied and Smith approached him, secured the firearm that the defendant had put on the ground, examined it in the presence of Constable 348 Browne and found it to be a .32 firearm. Smith also examined the magazine of the weapon and found 3
rounds of .32 ammunition inside. When cautioned, Williams replied, “Gun is my comfort, just keep it charged.” The officers then entered Williams’ house and found a rifle in a chair. He was reminded that he was still under caution, and he replied, “Officer, all is my gun. Just take care ah it for me.” A more detailed search was conducted of his house, but nothing else illegal was found. He was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), along with the exhibits, but refused to give a statement. He was subsequently arrested and charged. In 2024, Williams was also jailed for firearm and ammunition possession. He had pleaded guilty to the charges and told the Court he made the firearm using a number of items, including pieces of scrap metal, a spring from an umbrella, epoxy and screws.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 5.
Court 2
Mechanic fined $1,725 for cocaine strong stance in relation to cases involving CHIEF MAGISTRATE Colin cocaine, the Magistrate considered the John has sent a message defendant’s good that persons found in character, genuine possession of the deadly remorse and assistance drug cocaine, will not receive the same leniency to the police as from the Court as in cases mitigating factors for the offender. of marijuana possession. Alexis had previous The signal came at the convictions for burglary Serious Offences Court and theft, but none for on Monday before he imposed a fine of $1,725 possession of an illegal on Mathew Alexis, a 29- drug. For aggravating year-old mechanic of factors of the offence, the Belmont, for possession Court outlined Alexis’ of 29 grams of cocaine attempt to avoid with intent to supply. detection, and to dispose He was allowed one of the evidence, as month to pay the fine with an alternative of six reflected in the facts. He found no mitigating months in prison. factors for the offence. The drug had an The facts, presented estimated street value of earlier, showed that $870, but the Court has the power to impose fine Alexis was arrested at around 10:30pm on July of up to three times the 19 2026, when officers value. from the Rapid Response But even with his by HAYDN HUGGINS
Matthew Alexis did not escape the strong arm of Chief Magistrate Colin John sentencing.
Unit (RRU) patrolling the Arnos Vale tarmac, searched a vehicle parked in an unlit area close to the seaside. Before conducting the search, Constable 301 Defreitas used his light and saw the defendant’s hand coming out through the rear left door of the vehicle. Alexis who was sitting in the back seat, was instructed to exit the vehicle, to which he complied. He was cautioned as to what the police observed, and he replied, “Officer is just a small spliff I get.” Corporal 464 Francis then conducted a search of the vehicle, but nothing illegal was found.
PC Defreitas then searched the area outside of the vehicle, and found a black plastic bag, about two feet from the vehicle, containing several clear dime bags containing cocaine. When cautioned, he replied, “Officer is find I find it up Pole Yard way I does bathe.” He was taken to the Narcotics base at Arnos Vale, where he was subsequently charged. When questioned by the Magistrate, Alexis admitted that he acted foolishly because he knew the substance was illegal and still kept it.
Bail for gun and ammo charges Rahiem Williams return to court in August to have his matter of illegal possession of gun and ammo heard. RAHIEM WILLIAMS, a 30-year-old construction worker of Lowmans Leeward, appeared before the Serious Offences Court charged with possession of one Glock 43X pistol, possession of six rounds of ammunition, and taking a conveyance without the consent of the owner or lawful authority. The offences are alleged to have occurred in Lower Questelles and Kingstown on July 20, 2026.
Williams pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail in the sum of $20,000 with one surety. He was ordered to report to the Central Police Station every day between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and to surrender all travel documents. The matter was adjourned to August 6, 2026. This seizures and one made in Organge Hill on the two days later, e in represent more than the recovery of two weapons, the Police said. They represent two firearms that can no longer be carried into a dispute, used to intimidate a citizen, or turned against another human being. In reporting on this matter, the RSVGPF said it “remains fully engaged in the fight against illegal firearms. Officers across the
country will continue to conduct targeted patrols, joint operations, searches, and enforcement activities aimed at identifying illegal weapons, removing them from circulation, and bringing those responsible before the courts. The public should be assured that this work is being done on their behalf and in defence of their safety.” Recognising that police action alone cannot solve the problem of illegal firearms, the RSVGPF is appealing for information from citizens. Anyone with information concerning an illegal firearm, ammunition, or persons involved in firearmrelated activity is urged to contact the police. Every firearm
removed is one less weapon available to threaten the peace and security of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. (Source: RSVGPF)
Construction worker jailed for gun, ammo by HAYDN HUGGINS LESMOND FRANKLYN, a 40-yearold construction worker who told the police he was en route to work when he found himself in possession of a gun and seven rounds of ammunition, was sentenced to jail time by the Serious Offences Court. Lesmond Franklyn Franklyn was sentenced to 40 months Forty months and in prison for possession counting for a 40-yearold. of a 380 pistol without license, and one year in prison for possession of seven rounds of 380 ammunition. Franklyn will however, serve only 40 months behind bars, as the sentences are to run concurrently. Chief Magistrate Colin John handed down the penalties after Franklyn pleaded guilty to both charges. The facts presented earlier showed that at around 7:50am on July 22, officers from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) on mobile patrol at Orange Hill, in the vicinity of Mony Down Shop, noticed the defendant walking towards the transport with a red and black book bag on his back. The driver stopped the transport, and the officers exited, approached the defendant, identified themselves, informed the defendant of their duties and questioned him as to his name and address, which he gave a Lesmond Franklyn of Orange Hill. The police requested a search of his person and the book bag he was carrying to which he consented. Nothing illegal was found on his person, but while searching the bag in Franklyn’s presence, they found a gun in the back compartment and a magazine containing seven rounds of .380 ammunition. When cautioned, Franklyn replied, “Ah work me ah go. Ah my gun, oh shit.” He was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and subsequently charged.
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6. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026 . THE VINCENTIAN
Youth
100+ in Police Band Programme Band Master ASP Vaughn Miller appealed for discipline and respect from the partiicpants. occupied during the long summer vacation, thus narrowing the chances of them getting into activities that can damage their future,” Some of the 100+ ASP Miller emphasised. participants registered He urged the for this year Police Band Music Summer participants to approach Programme. the programme with discipline, respect and ONE HUNDRED AND TEN confidence, reminding (110) children between the them, “You are the key ages of 9 and 15, will players. You are the spend the next four and a main contributors.” half weeks, i.e. their The hundred plus July/August school participants will be vacation, under the engaged in other social tutorship of members of skills activities and the Royal St Vincent and presentations on various the Grenadines Police topics. Force Band. Assistant This as the annual Commissioner of Police Royal St. Vincent and (ACP) Hesran the Grenadines Police Ballantyne, who also Force Band Summer delivered an address at Programme, which the opening, said the provides the attendees Police Force understands with a structured that its work does not musical instruction while end with responding to promoting discipline, what has already gone confidence and wrong. teamwork, get going. “It is built through the The programme is relationship we form being held under the with young people while theme: Harnessing young they are still deciding minds during the who they want to summertime. become. This is why the Speaking at the police band summer Opening Ceremony, July programme exists. Some 20, at the Peace may look at this and see Memorial Hall, children learning to play Kingstown, Band Master instruments. To learn an ASP Vaughn Miller, in instrument, a child must his welcome remarks, sit still and concentrate. explained that the They must listen not virtues of the annual only to the instructor, programme. but to the other “It presents the musicians around them. opportunity for them to They must practise the learn a skill which can same thing many times”, be harnessed for future Ballantyne reasoned. employment. It also He reminded the enables the participants participants that they to develop social skills are not enrolled simply such as cooperation, to pass time, but are teamwork, socialisation given a chance to and, very importantly, discover something in having them fully themselves.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Hesran Ballantyne urged the participants to be teachable, to listen and be respectful.
Mrs. Caywama Edwards-Cottle, Deputy Principal PBSS called the participnats to bear witness to the four L’s. “Be teachable. Listen closely to your instructor. Respect the instruments in your hand. Support each other, especially when someone beside you is struggling. And on the days when progress feels so slow, finish what you started anyway. When the programme ends, the truest measure of success will not be the final performance”, Ballantyne emphasised. Mrs. Caywama Edwards-Cottle, Deputy Principal of the Petit Bordel Secondary School, referenced that harmony does not require everyone to sound the same, but requires each person to listen and contribute responsibly. Her address challenged participants to remember four lessons: listen, learn, lead and leave with stronger character. The participants will be exposed to instruments such as the clarinets, drums , trombones, saxophones, keyboards, trumpets and steelpan.
V ZHTF – SVG spearheads Food Security Project News
education, nutrition, and institutional development.” She posited, “For us, what success must look like is clear. Success is how we measure what we have implemented and how it has impacted the schools and the beneficiaries. Success will not be measured only by the number of garden beds established, tools distributed, or photographs taken on planting day. It will be measured by what is born months later, by regular participation of students, by what students have learnt about food, nutrition, and agriculture, the ecosystem, and climate resilience” she pinpointed. Horne- Bique thus Safiya Horne- Bique, Chief Executive Officer of implored all ZHTF- SVG- declaring the Cultivating Futures stakeholders in the project off and running. respective primary educational institutions THE ZERO HUNGER TRUST Executive Officer of document the processes, FUND- SVG is the lead ZHTF- SVG- Mrs Safiya identify their challenges, entity in the European Horne-Bique highlighted but ultimately, find Union funded project the Garden- to- Lunch practical solutions. Cultivating Futures. Garden Competition, the Apart from the The 18-month signature activity of the competition, the project initiative is aimed at project. sets out to strengthen strengthening food “It is a commitment to existing School Feeding security, youth use project resources Programmes, along with engagement as well as responsibly to maintain introducing practical ensuring sustainable accurate records and to student activities such food systems across the participate in monitoring as public education four Windward Islandsand leading activities, discussions, social Dominica, Grenada, St and most importantly, to awareness campaigns. Lucia and St Vincent care for and sustain the Also speaking at the and the Grenadines. gardens that will be official launch were Toward this end, three developed. We want each Minister of Tourism, primary schools from St school to take ownership Civil Aviation & Vincent and the of its garden from the Sustainable Grenadines schoolsoutset. It must become Development Hon. Dr. Calliaqua Anglican, part of the identity and Kishore Shallow; Chateaubelair Methodist the life of the entire Chanda Davis, who is and the Bequia Anglican school community. the Project Coordinator School and Childhood Students should see it as of the EU- as well as, Centre are among ten a place where they can Government from the Windward explore, experiment, and representatives from St. Islands listed in the lead. Teachers should see Lucia- Dwayne Mitchell, project. it as an extension of the Dominica- Robert Guise At the official classroom” , Horneand Javan Williams of declaration of the Bique announced. Grenada. project, on Thursday, In encouraging a Head of the Global July 16, 2026 at the UWI whole-school approach to Europe Partnership Global Campus, with the venture, Bique Division- Ugne simultaneous airing from appealed to school Chmeliauskaite gave her the other three administrators ”to see it agency’s blessing to the territories, Chief as an investment in project.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 7.
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8. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Managing Director: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: thevincentianpublishing@gmail.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Editorial
Is SVG a “Who You Know” society? MERIT IS THE CORNERSTONE of a fair and progressive society. We are taught that hard work, talent and integrity should determine success. Yet, for many people, especially from families burdened with economic challenges, their lived experiences tell a different story. Speak to those people and they will tell you, increasingly, opportunities seem to depend less on what you know, and more on who you know. This they say applies to whether you’re seeking employment, accessing public services, securing contracts or advancing professionally. Personal connections often appear to outweigh qualifications and where applicable, a proven track record. Yes, we might not want to admit it, and this piece might be all conjecture, but what the ordinary people say amounts to a trend that has given rise to what many describe as a “who you know” society. Successful people will tell you that networking has always been an important part of personal and professional growth. Building relationships is a natural aspect of human interaction and can open doors to new opportunities. However, stick a pin: There is a critical difference between healthy networking and favouritism. When vacancies are filled before they are advertised, contracts are awarded to friends rather than the most capable bidders, or promotions are based on personal loyalty instead of performance, society moves from rewarding merit to rewarding privilege. Any bells ringing yet?? And believe it or not, the consequences are far-reaching. Young people with years invested in education and training become discouraged when they see less qualified, competent individuals advance because of family ties, political affiliations or social connections. This breeds frustration, erodes confidence in public institutions and encourages the belief that excellence alone is not enough. Over time, such perceptions lead to brain drain (of which we like to speak of in loose terms and no real reference) as talented individuals seek opportunities in “fields afar” where merit is more likely to be recognised. The private sector is not immune. Businesses are prone to recruiting based on friendships, social affiliation rather than competence, thereby sacrificing productivity and innovation. Organisations thrive when the best people occupy the right positions. Nepotism and cronyism may offer shortterm comfort to decision-makers, but they frequently result in poor performance,
low employee morale, and diminished public trust. Politics also plays a significant role in reinforcing the “who you know” culture. In many societies, and we are not to be excluded from this cohort, access to government jobs, contracts or even basic services is perceived to depend on political loyalty. When citizens believe that political connections determine outcomes, democracy itself is weakened. Public office exists to serve all citizens equally, not merely those with the right acquaintances or affiliations. There are those who will say social media allows individuals to cultivate influential networks that can create opportunities unavailable to others. While this has positive aspects, it can also reinforce inequality when visibility and influence become substitutes for competence and credibility. Reversing this culture requires a renewed commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability. Recruitment processes, both in the public and private sectors, must be open and competitive. Procurement systems should be transparent and subject to independent oversight. Educational institutions should continue to emphasise ethics alongside academic achievement, preparing future leaders who value integrity over personal gain. Encouraging unhealthy competition in our education system does not augur well in this regard. Individuals also have a responsibility. Those in positions of authority must resist the temptation to favour friends and relatives when making decisions that affect others. Likewise, citizens should demand accountability from institutions and leaders, rewarding those who uphold fairness and challenging practices that undermine equal opportunity. Relationships will always matter. Trust and reputation are valuable assets, and networking is an essential life skill. However, connections should complement merit, not replace it. A society where opportunity depends primarily on personal relationships risks wasting talent, deepening inequality and weakening public confidence in its institutions. When it comes down to the last penny, the measure of a just society is not how well it rewards the well-connected, but how fairly it treats everyone. If we are to build a future that inspires hope rather than cynicism, we must ensure that success is determined not by who someone knows, but by what they can contribute.
Another Year, Another Carnival WHAT CAN I SAY? Like clockwork, every year after carnival, we find ourselves debating at length: “What is carnival coming to?” Some at the core of the festival complain that another year has passed and still no one is stepping up to show their appreciation for the art and cultural aspects of carnival. Those in the business sector directly involved in the festival reluctantly admit it was somewhat of a success, mostly due to the last-minute influx of tourists and returning nationals. Those trying to do business, especially with the government, and many large corporations, complain about low levels of productivity. And for the thousands who, for whatever reason, profess that they do not take part in the festivities while arguing who had the best song and who should have won the calypso crown, I say stick to your story, and may God continue to bless you because I would not. I would also not engage in the discussion about why the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) continues to push the burdensome task of keeping the monkey band tradition alive. Quite honestly, after years of being from the J’Ouvert celebration for various reasons, I find this one of the most enjoyable aspects of the season. Maybe it was the only portion of the extended weekend not hypersexualizedsexualized. Or maybe it was because this year I was spending time entertaining and educating my grandchildren and a few of their about, what carnival was like for me as a kid. Since I am in this space, I must take time to give a big shout-out to Nelson Bloc, where the heart resides; you did not disappoint. You made it easy for me to do the critical comparison and contrast between the traditional and modern styles for my visitors. Believe it or not, while most of my male friends enjoy modern bands for obvious reasons, at the end of the day they were extremely complimentary about the art and creativity in our traditional bands. On to the love-hate relationship we are developing with the “Allinclusive private events,” I will be blunt and say it. As a nation, the private parties, “exclusive events,” as they are sometimes called, are what bring in half of the people visiting
during the season. This is what carnival has become. This is where the people are who spend money on this circuit. I know this is what the four non-nationals I entertained this year expected and wanted. This is what they do. For those of us tied to the memory, let us not forget that it’s from these events the nation reaps its rewards. Arts and culture do not pay for themselves unless we embrace the commercialization of our once-sacred spaces. To the private event coordinators, keep on doing what you do, pay your dues, our taxes, and make as much profit as is possible. To the CDC, you must find a way to work together and not see these guys as taking money from you. For example, no private event affected the poor attendance at the Calypso Monarch Finals and the King and Queen of the Bands competition. It is no longer an event that draws a large audience, especially when it’s broadcast and live-streamed into our living rooms. Some suggestions to consider: Bring back the carnival queen show and inclusive of a carnival costume element in that competition. This show should kick off the season, and the carnival queen should then be an integral part of the rest of the season, making guest appearances at all major events. Move the calypso monarch to the middle of the ten-day carnival window. To give the winner maximum exposure, they should also be included in all major events, including the sanctioned (approved) private events. This will give them maximum exposure and a chance to earn some extra income. Of course, these winners should be compensated for these appearances. In case you missed it, these exclusive/private events should be sanctioned/licensed carnival events. It is time we sit down and redefine the role of the CDC in carnival. My short version is: they should be responsible for setting the rules, setting the stage, approving the event, and getting out of the way. Horatio
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 9.
Letters
Moody rating based on recent developments I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND to the aspects of the editorial you wrote last week which are set out below – i) your suggestion that the Moody rating was not based on data collected in the last 8 months or so or a reaction to an immediate scare, but rather includes data in greater part from the period of the ULP administration; and
ii) your comments about reform to credit rating methodologies.
Data Timeframe I suggest that the downgrade was actually predicated on recent developments over the past 8 months or so. We should keep in mind that the government maintained a steady rating in the
Dey dun wid dat!!!! WELL MR. EDITOR, if the J’Ouvert Fanatics say they “dun with J’Ouvert”, better we just forget about that part of our Carnival. They were the last Mohicans, trying their utmost best under Ces Mc Kie to keep the tradition of our J’Ouvert alive. So when they go, who you think will take up the slack ot fill the void. And when we do that, we will remove another genuine part of our tradition and give way to another round of frolicking in the ‘Paint Bands’. So we will have Paint Bands jump-up in the morning and more jump-up in the after with those large Monday afternoon bands. You know something Mr. Editor, if my memory serves me correctly, the current Chairman of the CDC was involved in bringing the “Paint Bands’ to our J’Ouvert at a time. And if I remember even better, this happened when people like you, , ‘Bamba’ Providence and Lennox Bowman and other carnival big boys were involved in the CDC. What a thing!!!!!! Add this to what is happening on Tuesday, the day of the masquerade bands, with less and less creativity and, as Reality said this year “too much bottom exposed”, and all we’ll have will be a carnival of pure Jum-ups. And wait, what about the fetes — ‘Wet Fete’, and ‘Brunch and Soca’? See where we are heading. People like me who were raised in the conscious 70s will have to seriously think about giving up on our carnival — Vincy Mas or Vincymas, whatever. Charles, Edinboro
period 2014 to 2025 at the level B3. We maintained this rating despite the elevated level of public expenditure that was required for our response to shocks like COVID-19 pandemic, volcanic eruptions and Hurricane Beryl in 2024. We maintained this rating despite heavy investments in public infrastructure. Clearly, Moody felt that we had managed to respond to those shocks without materially compromising our fiscal position. Indeed, we were able to attract substantial levels of job-creating investments which had implications for public revenue and by extension the government’s ability to service its obligations. SVG had the 2nd highest rate of economic growth in the entire region of the Americas in the post COVID-19 period of 2022 to 2025. This was a remarkable achievement and
amounts to a validation of public policy. We were able to hold things steady. Last year, Moody affirmed our rating at B3. Since then, there has been a dramatic turn of events. For instance, we have seen an explosion in terms of the current account deficit from just $5.6 million in 2025 to a massive $105.5 million in 2026. This shows a substantial deterioration in our fiscal position and reflects a complete abandonment of fiscal responsibility. The new government also raised a discussion about a debt swap which set off alarm bells because Moody believes that this can amount to a distressed exchange or default. We are experiencing a delay in the roll-out of the halfbillion-dollar investment in Beaches which has negative implications for growth, jobs and government revenue. We are also now contending
with the US-Iran War which has negative implications for our growth prospects. Additionally, we are also dealing with new policies that are inimical to growth. These factors raised government liquidity risk and drove the downgrade from B3 to Caa1.
Reform of Rating Methodology
advocating can have indirect application. We should lobby to have You had also advocated for a reform of more grant funding for credit rating mythologies the disaster to take into consideration preparedness and resilience investments factors such as disaster that you are talking preparedness and resilience investments. I about. This will have the am not sure that there is effect of raising our level of revenue and bolstering scope for this type of our capacity to cover our modification. After all, the rating is about credit expenses with positive worthiness and based on implications in terms of credit worthiness. This the ability of a can lead to an upgrade in government to pay its credit rating and give bills. This is a simple practical effect to your matter of revenue and proposal for a fair credit expenditure. rating system. However, I believe that the principle you are Luke Browne.
A little bit of history MR. EDITOR, I thought your readers might find the correlation between this ‘little bit of history’ and our own. What follows is an extract from a post by the Espiritu Chicano Movement which, among other things, produces/publishes educational literature focusing on civil rights and heritage. Paddy Corea “U.S. History, as it pertains to Indigenous peoples, is a history of Settler Colonialism - a state founded on the ideology of white supremacy, a widespread practice of slavery, and policies of land theft and genocide. Settler Colonialism requires violence, or the threat thereof, to be able to achieve its goals. When a people are forced to hand over their children, land, resources, and futures - they put up a fight, and that fight is met with violence. In using the force necessary to accomplish its goal of expansion, the colonizer regime then
institutionalizes violence. As anthropologist Patrick Wolfe explains, “the peculiarity of Settler Colonialism is that the goal is elimination of Indigenous populations in order to make land available to settlers. That project is not limited to government policy, but rather involves all kinds of agencies, voluntary militias, and the settlers themselves acting on their own.” From the beginning, the economic, political, and social order was established - placing the White Male firmly at the top of the hierarchy leaving the rest of the people at various lower rungs. One of the agencies that was used to maintain the new social order, and fulfill the goal of domination, was law enforcement and the military. The US government unleashed a genocide on the Indigenous peoples of N. America using settler violence and the military that began even before the US became a nation. The racism embedded in this nation’s founding
is now part of an entrenched system dedicated to the perpetual maintaining of its colonialist goals. Racism and oppression were, and are, designed to be systemic. The
system isn’t broken. The system is working exactly as it was meant to! The Resistance continues!” Espiritu Chicano Movement
PEOPLE ARE ASKING: * HOW MANY CONTRACTS, if any, involving state corporations, statutory boards, corporations in which government has interest (shares) etc., have been withdrawn since the NDP formed government? * Are there persons, including professionals, who have been black listed as far as government contracts are concerned? * Is the Leader of the Opposition going to talk himself out of a job? Is he a Jack of all trades, master of none? * Is there an increase in the number of illegal vendors on our streets once more? * Did VINLEC discipline the driver of one of its service vehicles who used the “BEST” expletives for the world to hear, on the driver of a private vehicle that had apparently run into the VINLEC vehicle he was driving? * Seeing that this is not the first time a VINLEC worker has behaved in this manner, will VINLEC think about introducing social skills training its workers? * With J’Ouvert Fanatics now calling it quits, is this the end of traditional Ole Mas as part of Vincymas? * Would the CDC please make it clear: Is it Vincy Mas or Vincymas?
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10. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026.THE VINCENTIAN
Views
NDP Fulfills Promise: Registration Fees Eliminated DURING THE 2025 ELECTION CAMPAIGN, the New Democratic Party (NDP) made a significant promise to eliminate registration fees for schools, demonstrating its commitment to making education more accessible and affordable for all Vincentians. This policy aims to ease the financial burden on families, ensuring that children can attend school without the worry of additional costs. The good news is that the NDP’s promise has now been fulfilled, as the policy to remove registration fees for schools has been successfully implemented. Parents can now breathe a sigh of relief, as they no longer have to worry about paying these fees when enrolling their children. This achievement demonstrates the government’s commitment to its promises and its dedication to making education more accessible and affordable for all Vincentians. Promise made; promise kept. Minister of Education Honourable Phillip Jackson outlines, “The issue of fees charged for school children comes up around this time of year. And the big issue is about registration fees. And this is not a new topic. This has been discussed many times before. We have heard parents talked about it; some complained about it and there have been debates in the public about these fees. Within two important contexts of the NDP’s government’s thrust to want to act in a manner that is transparent and accountable and within proper legal and regulatory frameworks. We looked at what the Education Act wand what it says about fees, within the context of universal access and also the stated policy of Prime Minister, Dr. Godwin Friday, relative to fees at school. His expressed policy on the campaign trail and after is that we would look at fees and then we remove those fees that can be removed and should be removed. So, within that context, I asked my staff to do some desk research and to gather information from the schools’ registration packages and they collated that as a basis for us to consider what would be the policy going forward. This is a basic principle on which our policy is constructed and proposed. When you come to pay your fees and you see things like books or ties or badges, parents can understand that immediately. School polo t-shirt and the game shirt; these are things that are easy for them to understand. But when you start seeing things like processing fee, admission fee, registration fee; it starts to get a little fuzzy there. So, it’s that fuzziness and added to the actual overall cost that we thought we needed to address. Let me share what we found out about some of the fees. We have registration fees ranging from $30 to $100. Physical education uniforms are T-shirt ranging from $25 to $95. Different schools putting out different numbers. There’s non-refundable processing fee that were varying from $50 to $100. Report book from $10 to $25, supplies from $30 to $50. What the research showed us, is that what different schools are charging are
disparate, meaning, when you look at the range in the prices, they are all over the place. Some are not charging the same fees. And we concluded that’s really a mess apart from the financial implication on parents. We thought this is a mess. We need to put this thing on a regular basis. We need to regularize this. We need to structure this properly. And that was the main motivation for doing so. In addition to fulfilling the promise of reduced fees to our students. So that’s exactly what we did. We did the research and some folks say we didn’t consult principal. Basically, the research is a form of consultation where we gather the fees. Credit to my staff. They did an excellent job and they were very, very apprised, very aware, very acute of the issues coming from the school, the principals and the concerns, the pushback. We discussed that at length. As a matter fact, I take responsibility for the timing, of when the fees came up that is because within the ministry, I allowed a period of tremendous back and forth on this issue because I trust my staff, their work, and their opinion. But at the end of the day, as the Minister of Education, I have to make the decision and communicate it to the public. The research was done, the consultation was done, and we did indeed have a consultation with the principals and we gather their views. The basic issue they have, is that they will lose some revenue. They want to be assured that the ministry would make sure that they get the sort of allocation they need for things like toilet paper, for security, printers, toners, ink and paper. Those are some of the main issues that they had. And I give them my commitment that we make the necessary provision to ensure that the operational costs of the schools for which we are responsible they are taken care of and we will do that Parents can be assured through taxpayers’ money, which is our money, but in a structured way, we provide the sort of resources necessary for the operations of the school. So let me remind the public of what exactly happened and what was done. We sent out a Circular on July 14, 2026. And this is basically what we communicated based on one, the Education Act Number 34 of 2006, based on the NDP’s governmentowned policy about fees and this Circular was sent out. It focused mainly on public schools and assisted private schools. We said instead of having all of these fees all over the place, some charging this, some charging that, let’s just simplify everything and it will be easy for communication as well as management and at the same time, overtime to monitor and evaluate how the policy is working.”
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 11.
Views
Strategic Flexibility
Cuba is the Caribbean’s Gaza
“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” – Peter F. Drucker
‘THE GOAL OF BROAD-BASED US sanctions should be to deny money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real wages and bring about hunger and desperation and the overthrow of the government.’ Excerpt from a 1962 classified US State Department policy document. Tomorrow, Saturday, the SVG/Cuba Friendship Society will host a motorcade to show solidarity with the revolutionary people of Cuba. The motorcade begins from Sion Hill at 10:00am. As many Vincentian patriots as possible should join the motorcade in acknowledgement of the tremendous assistance Cuba has rendered to our people and country. The Trump regime is strangling Cuba. The embargo, which can only be described as evil, is killing men, women and children. Fuel to generate energy and gas for people to cook with have been blocked from entering Cuba, causing a virtual collapse. Schools, hospitals and industry have been forced to close. Cubans have gone back to cooking with firewood. Garbage has piled up on streets as fuel for trucks to cart it away remains scarce or nonexistent. The potential for disease and death looms ominously with each passing day. Critically important medical procedures have been postponed or abandoned. But this much needs to be clear: Trump and Marco Rubio have only turned the oppressive screws of the American state machine. Every American administration since the revolution’s triumph in 1959 has conspired to overthrow and reverse the significant gains, especially those in education, health and sports. As the lead quote from the secret US policy document from 1962 shows, Washington’s singular plan is to ‘bring about hunger and desperation and the overthrow of the government.’ Some say President Obama eased the blockage and reopened the US embassy in Havana after decades of closure. This is true, but Obama, recognising that total blockage had failed to achieve its desired result, reestablished diplomatic relations even as his State Department continued with efforts to foment dissatisfaction and dissent intended to create destabilisation and destruction of the revolution. The show of solidarity with Cuba tomorrow is vitally important. This little revolutionary nation is a model of what the entire world should become. There is no denying that when measured by size of population and gross domestic product, no other country in the world has offered so much to humanity. It is a truism worth repeating: the world calls, and Cuba always answers. Whether in offering assistance in blood to defend the independence of Angola, support for the anti- Apartheid struggle led by Nelson Mandela in South Africa, against genocide of the Palestinians, the fight against the covid virus in Italy, or the training of tens of thousands of university students from across the world, Cuba has been
THE MORE SUCCESSFUL LEADERS in business, government, and society have developed the discipline to understand the value of strategic thinking and strategic foresight. They realize that they do not have the answers to all of life’s challenges and therefore develop teams that engage in critical thinking and provide members to question the unquestionable. There is wisdom in such an approach noting that no individual has a monopoly on thought or innovation. While academic accomplishments and experience have their value, the more successful leaders develop the art of listening to others and, when necessary, adjusting strategies based on valuable insights gained regardless of how intricate and demanding the process was in developing the strategic plan. Strategic flexibility is of paramount importance. This principle can be illustrated by considering a commercial aircraft travelling from Barbados to New York. Before take-off, the flight crew develops a detailed flight plan to guide the journey to the destination. However, throughout the flight, the pilots continuously monitor their radar systems, weather reports, and air traffic information. As conditions change, they may need to adjust the aircraft’s course to avoid adverse weather, turbulence, or other aircraft operating in the vicinity. Although the route may change, the destination remains the same. Likewise, individuals and organisations committed to achieving worthwhile goals must remain flexible and responsive, making thoughtful adjustments along the way while maintaining a steadfast focus on their ultimate objectives. In a rapidly changing world, success is not limited to careful planning but also on the ability to adapt when circumstances change. Leaders and members of strategic management teams must therefore be constantly monitoring the enterprise’s internal and external environment and to develop the strategic flexibility required to achieve the best possible strategic outcomes. It must never be perceived that the strategy is cast in stone. Plans, methods, and decisions may periodically need to be adjusted even as every effort is made to retain the focus on its longterm goals. It must never be considered a sign of weakness or indecision when such adjustments are made; rather it is a mark of effective leadership, wisdom, and resilience. Strategic flexibility is considered an imperative as individuals and organisations respond intelligently to unexpected challenges while retaining a focus on their overall purpose. Unfortunately, there are some individuals and leadership teams that incorrectly believe that a good plan should never change. The temptation to seek to have an inflexible strategy may derive from the fact that strategic planning processes often demand a tremendous amount of time and company/department resources. However, research confirms that the most successful leaders have often adjusted their strategies in response to changing conditions. In addition, there is wisdom in imbibing the words of Professor Amar Bhide who reminds us that, “The strategies for taking the hill won’t necessarily hold it.” Strategies must therefore be fluid and allowed to evolve even as situations change. This is especially so in volatile markets and/or during periods of crisis. Military commanders, political
leaders, business executives, and athletes appreciate that rigid/inflexible thinking can become a liability. While the focus is maintained in relation to the anticipated outcomes, the methods may be required to change as new information becomes available. Using the analogy of wind-driven vessels we can understand and appreciate that the sails will need to be adjusted as the wind direction and wind intensity change. There is folly in seeking to force an outdated or failing strategy when the internal or external environment indicate that the tactics are likely to fail. Preparation and humility are considered critical components and contributors to strategic flexibility. Preparation identifies the knowledge and resources (human and otherwise) needed to make informed decisions, while humility is of paramount importance as strategic planners admit when a chosen path is no longer considered the best one. There is wisdom and maturity in such an approach. However, pride and stubbornness can cause people to cling to ineffective strategies long after evidence dictates that change is required. Wise leaders and strategic planners do not hesitate to reassess their assumptions, learn from experience, and modify their approach without feeling that they have failed. The business world provides numerous examples of strategic flexibility. Companies that have experienced significant financial losses and loss of market share (e.g., IBM, Boeing, and Xerox) realized that they needed to revisit their strategies and take corrective action if they were to remain relevant and competitive. Intense competition and emerging aggressive players on many markets have resulted in business leaders becoming more cognizant in relation to the successful use of digital technology, online marketing, and artificial intelligence (AI) rather than relying on traditional methods of doing business. Enterprises that resist change invariably discover that they are displaced by more aggressive competitors. Research also confirms that during times of economic uncertainty progressive organizations that diversify their products and/or services and focus on strengthening their customer relationships are usually better positioned to survive and prosper. Strategic flexibility is equally valuable on a personal level. Accidents may occur, unexpected health challenges may arise, career paths may be disrupted, and relationships may falter or even disintegrate. Yet, when confronted with such personal crises, individuals who remain open to learning new skills, exploring alternative opportunities, and adapting their plans are often better equipped to recover and move forward. Their strategic flexibility enables them to discover different pathways to achieve their honourable goals while remaining steadfast in their core values. They understand the importance of planning carefully, acting decisively, evaluating their progress honestly, and making prudent adjustments whenever circumstances require a change in direction. Rather than viewing setbacks as permanent defeats, they see them as opportunities for growth, resilience, and renewed purpose. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
exemplary. We in SVG have benefitted tremendously from Cuba’s generosity. For these reasons and more, our collective conscience needs to be moved. Beyond these basic facts, all Vincentians should be outraged by the inhumanity displayed by the Trump regime to our sisters and brothers in Cuba. Cuba is Gaza without bombs and bullets. At least not yet. But the United States regime, in callous disregard for human life and common decency, has caused and is causing death, destruction and untold human suffering among the 11 million Cuban citizens. Unconscionable is the portrait of President Trump and Secretary Rubio. These are evil men carrying the policies of an evil imperial system. History will not forgive us if we refuse to raise our voices in righteous indignation. We must all raise our voices against collective punishment. Article 33 of the Geneva Convention (1949) is the bedrock of international human rights law. No protected person may be punished for an offence they have not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited. Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited. Cubans, despite the many deprivations of daily life, have refused to turn against their government. The American policy, which is illegal and criminal in intent and execution, is designed to kill as many Cubans as possible to save the people from themselves. But each independent country has the sovereign right to peaceful coexistence with other states and non-interference in their internal affairs. America’s opposition to Cuba has little to do with its armed revolutionary origins led by Fidel, Raúl, and Che, or the protection of the democratic rights and freedoms of people. Governments that came to power through the democratic vote, such as Mossadegh of Iran, Allende in Chile, Mohammed Morsi in Egypt, Manuel Zelaya in Honduras, or Manley in Jamaica, have been overthrown or destabilised, and replaced by savage American military dictatorships. In contrast, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, forever cuddled by the American regimes, do not have a democratic franchise. Israel, the darling of the American political class, is Exhibit A for brutality, torture and genocide. Inaction in the presence of wrongdoing is not neutral–it is a form of participation, and speaking out is a moral imperative to prevent complicity. Raise your voice for Cuba. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
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12. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026 . THE VINCENTIAN
Opinion
Religions and Politics (Part 11) Seventh-Day Adventist – The Mormons
WE ARE CONTINUING THE JOURNEY to end up with the root cause of the two elements that have been dividing and controlling our destiny for centuries... Religion and Politics. We continue from your July 3rd edition, P.11. The Seventh-day Adventist was officially
formed in 1863, growing out of the Millerite Movement started in the 1800s by Baptist preacher William Miller who studied bible prophecies and stood for the observance of the 7th Day Sabbath, and the anticipation of the imminent return of Jesus
in 1844. When Jesus didn’t return on October 22nd 1844, it caused widespread disillusionments among the Miller’s followers. This event is known as the “Great Disappointment”. Rather than losing faith, a small
group of the Millerite continue to study the bible and determine that the prophecy in Daniel 8:14 (used for 1844 prediction) referred to a heavenly event rather than the ending of the world. In 1860, members of Millerite Movement formally adopted the name Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) in Battle Creek, Michigan. Then in general conference on May 21st 1863, the official organization of the SDA was established with permanent pioneers members - including James Springer White, his wife Ellen G White, Joseph Bates and J.A. Andrews . Ellen G White in particular provided prophetic insight and extensive writing that helped guide and shape the theology of the SDA. The SDA was brought to our land around 1907 by pastor JG. Dasant.
The church has since become a major institution/instruction in the land, having made stride in holistic fashion health, education and community service. We moved to another 1800s Christianity in SVG. One of the most notable early converts was our first Chief Minister, the late Ebenezer Theodore Joshua (E.T. Joshua) who joined the faith and served in the local Kingstown branch leadership presidency. This is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, (the Mormons) which originated in New York, in 1830.The founder was a youth of 15 years old, name Joseph Smith. One day he was reading the book of James (1:5) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God...” That scripture went forcefully to his mind and motivated him to ask about which one of the churches was the true church, and after many encounters with God it was revealed to him that none of the churches was true. Revelation was given to him of the location of some hidden ancestry writings of the Americas indigenous prophets and people. After many years he attained the writings which he had translated into to many languages and which become the Book of Mormon. Mormon is book and not a religion. His teachinsg are founded on the bible, the Book of Mormon, many religious doctrines as well as political ideas and theories.
He endeavored to run for president in America but was murdered before reaching that goal. Following a succession crisis, Brigham Young merged the new church president and led a massive exodus of the saints (followers), beginning in 1846, across the harsh America plains to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. Over the next several decades early pioneers established hundreds of settlements across the American west, constructing monumental temples and practicing communal living. The 20th and 21st centuries brought the transformation of the church into a worldwide centralized organization with over 17 millions members. The faith emerged in SVG when elder Joseph B. Wirthlin visited in January 1980. Missionaries Steven B. Woodley and Terry Williams were subsequently sent to begin the work in March 1980. Aided by E.T. Joshua, in June 1985 the dedication and clearing of land site for the construction at Kingstown Park, a permanent Chapel — Meeting House, was obtained. It was in that Chapel in 1991 that the televised funeral service for E. T. Joshua was held. The church has contributed Millions of dollars in cash and materials to projects during the past government. (To be continued). Christian Democratic Newton George 4923489
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 13.
Government
Compassionate Gratuity Law passed
measure is intended to provide greater financial security for workers who are not covered under the traditional government pension system. Presenting the Bill, Leacock said the legislation addresses a longstanding gap affecting nonpensionable public officers St. Clair Leacock, Minister with who reach Resposibility for the Public retirement age Service table the Daily-Paid and without Minor Salaried Officers adequate (Compassionate Gratuity) Bill, financial 2026, fulfilling a promise to see support. that no public service worker “What we are doing here in MORE THAN 3,500 DAILYthis building, Mr. PAID and minor salaried Speaker, is recognizing public officers in St. those non-pensionable Vincent and the workers who arrive at Grenadines are expected age 60 and didn’t have to benefit from the Dailyanything set aside for Paid and Minor Salaried them,” Leacock said. He Officers (Compassionate Gratuity) Bill, 2026, which noted that while some employees may not have was taken through its three readings and passed adequately planned for retirement, successive in Parliament on Tuesday administrations also 21st July, 2026. The legislation, tabled failed to ensure that no category of public worker by Minister responsible for the Public Service, St. was left facing such uncertainty. Clair Leacock, The minister establishes a legal explained that the framework for the legislation will allow payment of compassionate gratuities eligible officers greater to eligible public officers flexibility by giving them the option of continuing upon retirement. The to work beyond the age of 60, up to the age of 65, enabling them to better prepare for retirement. “We are now going to allow them to decide, do you want to stay on to 61, 62, 63, 64 or up to 65? We’re giving them that choice so that they can be provided for and make those important adjustments in their lives,” he said. Leacock also
1.7, below the 2.1 rate required for population renewal. He supported the necessity of the bill, but called for comprehensive reform of public sector pensions, and raised questions regarding whether similar extensions should apply to the Director of Audit. Following the passage of the primary Pensions Jemalie John, Deputy Act, the Deputy Prime Speaker of the House, Minister moved the presided over the passage of two historic Teachers Pension Amendment Bill 2026 worker-related Bills. through its three readings. outlined the process for The Amendment Bill the payment of compassionate gratuities, specifically targets stating that the funds will be paid from the Consolidated Fund. He emphasized that maintaining accurate employment records will be essential to the effective administration of the programme. The minister said eligible officers should receive their gratuity within three months of their application being approved. While the legislation allows for an extension where necessary, payments must be made within a maximum of six months. “We don’t want the getting of this money to have on long pants. Horses starving while the grass is growing. We don’t want that. Give the people their money,” Leacock said. According to the minister, the passage of the Bill strengthens retirement security for thousands of workingclass Vincentians and underscores the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of public servants. Leader of the Opposition Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in his contribution to the debate, positioned the Bill in a broader demographic context, noting that citizens are living and working longer. The Opposotion Leader referred to the regional trend that spoke to fertility rates Caribbean as haven fallen between 1.5 and
Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, supported both Bills before the House last Tuesday but not before he offered words of caution in both cases.
teacher ones and teacher twos who hold nonpensionable offices, allowing them to also retire at 65 or elect to go at 60. The Leader of the Opposition accepted the Bill but cautioned that the Ministry of Education must carefully manage potential tensions in classrooms,
where pensionable and non-pensionable teachers may have different retirement mandates. (KH)
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14. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026 . THE VINCENTIAN
Regional
Sir Garry Sobers:
Greatest-ever all-rounder TRIBUTES POURED IN following the death of Sir Garry Sobers on July 17, 2026, at the age of 89 at his home in Saint Michael, Barbados. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in
cricket. Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 tests between 1954 and 1974, earning a reputation for his aggressive batting, versatility with both pace and spin bowling, and outstanding fielding.
“A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” Cricket West Indies wrote. Cricket West Indies President Dr. The Hon. Kishore Shallow also
expressed his condolences. “Sir Garfield Sobers has completed his final innings, but his legacy will forever endure in the hearts of our region, and the story of the cricketing world,” he wrote in a statement shared by Cricket West Indies. “On behalf of Cricket West Indies, I offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government and people of Barbados and all those across the world who mourn his passing.” Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott, who enjoyed a love-hate relationship with West Indian cricket fans during his playing days, described Sobers as a once-in-a-generation talent. “He was a superstar and such an easy-natured guy. I never heard him complain or bad mouth other players. He had a good heart. He was generous with his time and advice,” Boycott wrote in a column for The Telegraph. “But the most important thing is what he left behind. Anyone who saw him in his pomp will have wonderful memories of a great batsman, the greatest allrounder, an icon, a oncein-your-lifetime, exceptional cricketer.” Cricket boards around the world also paid tribute to the Barbadian. “One of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game, Sir Garfield Sobers, has sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and Cricket West Indies as we say goodbye to an ICC
Sobers speaks during the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton.) Hall of Famer,” the International Cricket Council wrote on X. “One of the greatest to ever play the game. Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,” England Cricket said on X. “The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever allrounders,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India posted. At English county level, Sobers enjoyed a distinguished career with Nottinghamshire, scoring 7,041 runs, including 18 centuries, and taking 281 wickets. “Cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder, and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history. We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers,” the county said on X. Sobers scored 26 test centuries during his international career. His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual
score in test cricket until fellow West Indian Brian Lara surpassed it in 1994.
Sir Garry Sobers bowling against England in 1970.
“As an opponent, you couldn’t help admire the way Sobers devastated your attack.’ Greg Chappell. (Credit PA)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 15.
Training
NEMO, BRICS conduct training in EmComm
NEMO’s communications specialist Jerwayne Laidlow showing structure of organization and the role 2-way radios serve.
The group that successfully completed a course that makes them holders of Technician Class Amateur radio license. Right: Course facilitator Don De Riggs (R) assisting course participant with installation of a portable station. SOME NINETEEN PERSONS drawn from the public and private sectors successfully graduated from an intense three-day (Mon 20 -Wed 22 July, 2026) course, that earned each participant a Technician Class Amateur radio license. The current training gave the successful participants the ability to operate on the amateur radio frequencies, which has millions of operators worldwide, many of whom also provide service in times of national emergencies. This course followed a similar training session held three weeks earlier, in which the majority of these participants were also involved with the operation and use of modern High Frequency (HF) radios. The three-day course covered areas including Ohm’s Law, Frequency allocations for radio amateurs, radio etiquette, basic
Course participant testing antennas made by the class. electricity, and antenna theory and construction, among other areas. During the session focusing on antennas, course participants used a formula which taught how to make and test a High Frequency (HF) for the 40 Meter amateur radio band. That done, they tested the antenna by making contact with
handling. On the final day, participants completed a test administered by the NTRC, allowing them to legally operate on frequencies allocated to licensed amateur radio operators. Course facilitator, Executive Director and Immediate Past President of the Youlou Amateur Radio Association — YARA, Donald De Riggs (J88CD), noted that this cohort of participants was one of the best groups with whom he has engaged, stating that
stations located in Biabou (Monte Browne — J88NMB) and Bequia (Sylvester NEMO’s Director Tannis J88DT). The (Ag) Kenson participants were Stoddard also given the (standing) opportunity to use emphasizing the VHF radios during importance and a mini simulation role of wireless while conducting communications training in provided by emergency message radio amateurs.
they asked pertinent questions, handled themselves creatively during the mini simulation and most importantly, were actively involved with all of the practical activities including making, installing and testing the antenna they made The successful participants will form part of NEMO’s Telecoms sub Committee, who play a pivotal role in post disaster and recovery scenarios. NEMO’s communications specialist Jerwayne Laidlow took the opportunity during the first day of the training to show how radio amateurs fit into the national preparedness, response and relief mechanism. Also addressing the participants on the first day of the course was Nemo’s Director (Ag) Kenson Stoddard who reiterated the
importance of the role and service by radio amateurs in SVG, the wider Caribbean and globally. This training initiative is part of a joint collaboration involving NEMO, CDEMA and BRICS - Building the Resilience of CARIFORUM States, a programme funded by the European Union (EU), designed to reduce the vulnerability of CARIFORUM states by strengthening institutional systems in preparation for and response to the hazards to which the region is prone. According to the Executive Director of CDEMA Elizabeth; “BRICS has served as a vehicle for regional solidarity, capacity strengthening and locally driven action” Report submitted by: Donald De Riggs
16. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
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V FaithÊs Journey and the Love of a Mother 18. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
Feature
VOICE OF THE DISABLED sends warmest congratulations to Faith Grant, her mother, Yolanda Grant, their family and the dedicated educators. God has blessed Faith, kept her and provided guidance along the way. With a mother who has been passionate and persistent, Faith successfully completed her primary education and ultimately showed the country that all people are capable of achieving greatness, despite differences. Nearly ten years ago, Mrs. Cheryl Adams and Ms. Yolanda Grant were introduced to one another by Sister Samuel, who served as Programme Coordinator for an annual event recognising persons with disabilities at Calder Adventist Church. This introduction would begin a friendship that blossomed and grew into partnership. As a parent of a child with a visual impairment, Ms. Grant recognised the importance of educating herself, connecting with a supportive community, and seeking out the proper resources. Ms. Grant was invited to become a member of Voice of the Disabled. Shortly after
joining the organisation, she was assigned to the role of Public Relations Officer, and served as Parent Group Coordinator. Throughout her time at VOD, she delivered training for teachers and parents, and along with Mrs. Adams, worked collaboratively with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment. Not only did Ms. Grant commit to enhancing the life of her own child, but she dedicated her time to serving the community and contributing to a meaningful cause for differently abled Vincentiens. Together, Mrs. Adams and Ms. Grant worked to identify a school for Faith and advocate for proper accommodation. Securing resources for Faith required a great deal of engagement with the Ministry of Education. Ms. Grant had been using her own money to cover the expenses for specialised support and services for Faith. VOD raised the family’s needs to the Ministry of National Mobilisation, who at the time was responsible for persons
Faith Grant and her mother Yolanda Grant a combination of love and success.
with disabilities. In response to the request for intervention, the Ministry of Mobilisation relieved some of the financial burden by coordinating assistance through SVG’s Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme. There were many challenges and obstacles. However, Faith proved to be a determined, talented, intelligent and resilient young person with a strong desire to learn. She has achieved a national rank of 19th among her female peers, and 43rd overall for the 2026 Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment. Faith is now 11 years old and will be attending Girls’ High School, one of the top secondary institutions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Every child deserves a fair opportunity to reach their highest potential. Learning institutions, at all levels, should continue to evolve to meet the demands and needs of our diverse population. Creating adaptive materials,
providing assistive technology, incorporating Braille and other alternative communication methods, offering family support, providing specialised training to staff and improving accessibility to physical spaces are just a few ways to promote inclusivity. We still have a
long way to go as a society and a country. Parents and guardians, please take note of Faith’s story. We hope that you feel inspired by Ms. Grant’s unwavering pursuit of a quality life for her child. She understands the value of education, the power of advocacy and the importance of being present. This is only the beginning. Faith will need much love, encouragement and support as she tackles the different phases of life. As a person with visual impairment, Faith will also need assistive devices and other tools, which can be costly. If you find it in your heart and are able to offer your support, reach out to the family. You can use your voice and your actions to support local causes in your community and help other children like Faith. Voice of the Disabled will maintain its commitment to serve the community by: advocating for change; encouraging independence through education and training; offering parent support; engaging with local churches and other entities; performing outreach; partnering with local, regional, and international stakeholders; and raising awareness about the matters concerning persons living with disabilities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Voice of the Disabled, San Souci
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 19.
International
Venezuela earthquakes caused $19.6bn in damage with recovery efforts with data on the scale of the challenges ahead. The report, conducted using Global Rapid Damage Estimation (GRADE), says the areas of La Guaira state and Distrito Capital were most severely impacted. The estimate relies on local seismic data, remote-based earthquake modelling, satellite imagery, and damage reports from government and humanitarian groups. While countries around the world have pledged support for Venezuela, it remains unclear where the funds for recovery might come from.
than $200m to the Red Cross to assist people impacted by conflict and natural disasters. “Today’s contributions support organisations that respond quickly when disasters strike, provide Three weeks after Venezuela’s unparalleled access to people in need earthquakes, survivors face an in conflict settings, and leverage uncertain future preexisting worldwide disaster and humanitarian response The United States, which has infrastructure,” the diplomatic mission exercised substantial control over said in a statement. Venezuelan affairs since abducting the Question abound as to whether country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, in a those funds are targeted specifically at military raid in January, announced Venezuela or are more general in on Thursday that it would give more reference.
Damage to infrastructure – housing – business - industry – is estimated in the billions of dollars. Right: Volunteers search for bodies in the rubble of an Obras del Poder Popular building in Caraballeda. Story & Photos: Al Jazeera THE WORLD BANK has said that the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela in late June caused an estimated $19.6bn in physical damage, underscoring the country’s challenging path to recovery. Two major earthquakes hit Venezuela on June 24, 2026, striking just 39 seconds apart at 6:04 p.m. local time, with a magnitude 7.2 followed by a magnitude 7.5. In a statement on Thursday, the World Bank said 47 percent of the damage occurred to residential buildings, while 27 percent occurred to infrastructure and 26 percent to nonresidential buildings. “The earthquakes have disrupted lives, damaged critical infrastructure, and created new challenges for Venezuela’s recovery,” Susana Cordeiro Guerra, the World Bank vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, said in a statement. “Recovering effectively begins with reliable evidence.” Government authorities have estimated that the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 killed at least 5,000 people and injured nearly 17,000. An additional 18,000 remain
Three weeks after Venezuela’s earthquakes, survivors face an uncertain future.
homeless, as the country struggles to recover from the destruction amid persistent economic hardship.
Desperate families search rubble weeks after Venezuela earthquakes Even before the disaster, the World Bank estimated that 76 percent of people in Venezuela, suffering from years of economic mismanagement and crushing US sanctions, were living in poverty. “Without timely additional investment, the negative impact on productive capacity and living standards will slow the path to recovery,” said Cordeiro Guerra. The World Bank says its estimate is meant to provide the Venezuelan government and those hoping to assist
How Venezuelan displaced by the earthquakes find shelter.
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20. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
News
High Voltage Mas Band says thanks
AS THE CURTAINS CLOSE on Vincy Mas 2026, the High Voltage Mas Band family extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this incredible journey possible. This season was one of the most challenging in our history. Following the devastating fire in April, we found ourselves questioning whether we would even be able to participate. We were forced to adapt, pivot, and rebuild. Through determination, faith, and the unwavering support of so many, we not only made it to the road, we delivered the creative, vibrant, and unforgettable costumes for which High Voltage Mas Band is known. To our valued sponsors, thank you for believing in our vision and standing with us every step of the way: Metrocint General Insurance, WE FM, Global Distribution, Beachcombers Hotel, Frank B. Armstrong, JJP Logistics, Boom FM, Jomo Thomas, Hot 97, THE VINCENTIAN Newspaper, Cecil “Blazer” Williams, Corea’s, General & Maritime Agencies Ltd., Knott Rope Restaurant
One of the sections from High Voltage’s 2026 presentation which came from a different band than the original one whose materials and prototypes went up in flames in April. Bar & Trail, ABM Designs, L John Beauty Products & Supplies Your partnership and generosity helped make the impossible possible. To our dedicated team, thank you for your tireless commitment, countless hours, and unwavering belief in what we set out to accomplish. Your passion and resilience carried us through every obstacle. To our amazing masqueraders, thank you for choosing High Voltage Mas Band; for trusting our vision, and bringing our costumes to life with your energy, spirit, and excitement on the road. You are the heartbeat of our band.
Finally, to every supporter, volunteer, and everyone who played a role, whether big or small, thank you. Every encouraging word, helping hand, and act of kindness made a difference, and we are forever grateful. As we reflect on this remarkable season, we are reminded that resilience, unity, and community can overcome even the greatest challenges. We are not certain what 2027 has in store for us, but one thing is certain... See you there! Yours Culturally, High Voltage Mas Band
Fuel Surcharge Update for July 2026 Bills ST. VINCENT ELECTRICITY SERVICES LIMITED (VINLEC) wishes to advise its customers of an increase in the fuel surcharge rate that will be applied to electricity bills for July 2026. Following the application of a subsidy of EC$734,959 by VINLEC, the fuel surcharge rate for July 2026 is $0.8320 per kWh, up from $0.7378 per kWh in June 2026. This represents an increase of approximately 9 cents per kWh. The fuel surcharge is a passthrough charge that enables VINLEC to recover the cost of fuel used in electricity generation. VINLEC does not profit from this charge. The subsidy was applied to help reduce the impact of rising fuel costs on customers by lowering the fuel surcharge rate.
The steady increase in the fuel surcharge in recent months is a direct consequence of rising global oil prices, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions. VINLEC remains cautiously optimistic that oil prices will stabilize in the months ahead, based on current market trends. VINLEC sincerely thanks its customers for their continued patience and understanding as the Company navigates these global market conditions. Customers seeking further information or assistance are encouraged to contact the Customer Services Department by email at customerservices@vinlec.com, by telephone at (784) 456-1701, extensions 237 or 238, or via Facebook at facebook.com/VINLECSVG.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 21.
22. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 23.
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24. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026.THE VINCENTIAN
News
‘The old playbook is closed’ Commissioner gets tough COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Enville Williams has given fair warning to those who choose to run amok of the law, that the “old playbook is closed.” The Commissioners’ declaration came on Saturday following the triple murder committed on Friday in Chinatown, in which three men Claude John, 50, Akron Bowens, 34, and Giovanny Grant, 23, were shot and died on the spot. Addressing those who continue to play with fire, Commissioner Williams said, “You believe you understand how [the] police force operates. You think you can predict our response, map our patrol, and anticipate our next move based on how things used to be. You are fundamentally wrong. The old playbook is closed.” All those who operate outside the law and choose to spread mayhem in
the state can expect a fundamental shift in how the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force will confront organised and gun-related crime, described by the Commissioner as “a highly coordinated, multifaceted assault…. against those responsible and the criminal networks that support them. He was, he emphasised, not going to disclose where the police are looking, who they are targeting, or what tactics are being deployed. He promised that the ‘new offensive’ will be executed with absolute crushing legality, and said to the criminals and their associates, “Every asset, every intelligence capability, and every statutory power available under the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is being weaponised against you.”
Enville Williams, Commissioner of Police, has promised a ‘new offensive” against criminals, their accomplices, et al, without giving any real details of how the “new offensive” will roll out, i.e. unfold. He reminded the disruptive elements that, “We do not need to break the law to break you. The law itself is our greatest weapon, and we are unleashing its full, unrelenting weight against you.” And in what he described as a change on the “psyche” of local policing, the Commissioner said “tactical teams, investigators and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are operating in absolute alignment.” The accomplices did not escape his aim. Commissioner Williams warned those assisting the perpetrators that they would be treated as active participants in the killings. He alluded to those accomplices as harbouring the perpetrators, holding their weapons, driving their vehicles, or keeping their secrets. “The law views you as an active participant in bloodshed,’ the
Commissioner declared. and as the “new offensive” looks to bringing the accomplices to justice, he advised them early that, “We are not playing for headlines. We are playing for conviction in the court of law,” so, “look over your shoulder. The shadow behind you is the entire legal apparatus of the state, and it will not stop until justice is fully served.”
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Don't overspend on luxury items. Your mate will enjoy helping out. You have made an accurate assessment of the situation and have come up with ideas that will save money. Rewards, gifts, or money from investments or taxes can be expected.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Acceptance will be necessary. You will be in an overly generous mood this week. You can easily wrap up overdue personal legal matters that have caused problems for you. Problems with ear, nose, or the throat are likely.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Entertain in your home and make aesthetic enhancements that will please those who reside with you. You will have to be sure not to burn the candle at both ends. You can certainly gain popularity; however, don't do it by paying for everyone else. If you can't get away, make plans to do something special with friends or relatives.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Watch your weight gain due to water retention. Visit friends or relatives who have been confirmed. Be prepared to lose friends or alienate other people if you insist on being stub born. Your temper could be short if someone criticizes your efforts.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Get on with your life. Children may cause limitations. Don't divulge secret information. Don't blow situations out of proportion. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Don't take advantage of your expense account. You will have no problem getting along with clients. Don't let domestic problems interfere with your objectives. You may find that children are not as accepting as you have been. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your passionate nature may make you jealous if your mate has been too busy to take care of your needs. You may have more to do with children this week; keep an open mind. Don't let situations get out of hand. Involvement with prestigious organizations will be to your advantage. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You could be blind to the defects of those you love. Deception is likely. You may find that someone you really cared for in the past has come back into your life. You could pick up valuable knowledge through conversations with experienced individuals.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Be discreet about your personal life or whereabouts. Be mysterious. If you want to make your mark, try to get involved in projects that will bring you some glory. You're eager to learn. Don't let children hold you back from doing things you enjoy. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Travel could turn out to be more exciting than you imagined. Don't put limitations on yourself. Don't jump the gun; you may find yourself getting angry at the wrong person. You may find it difficult to communicate. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You can make gains if you look at long-term investments. Your creative input will be appreciated by your boss. You have your own family to consider as well. Go after your professional goals. Try to keep your opinions to yourself. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You have a tendency to think that no one else will do things properly. Investments concerning your residence will be profitable. Talk to someone you trust in order to see the whole picture. Social functions will bring you in touch with new lovers.
ACROSS 1.Kiln for drying hops 5. Widen 11. Showing unusual talent 12. Wretched 13. Make healthy 14. Riddle 15. Hero of the Odyssey 17. Vandal 18. Label 19. Having little hair 20. Baked dough 23. Trousers 22. Christian 24. The back of 3. Kill festival 25. Young bear 4. Communications 23. Tavern 26. Donkey satellite 25. Provide 27. Burrowing 5. Nerd food rodents 27. Split apart 31. Stupid person 6. Charged particles 28. Mountain 33. Adjoin 7. Wreath of 34. Adhere flowers closely 35. Basic unit of 8. Tall slender hound heredity 9. Uproar 36. Herdsman 37. Examination 10. Antelopes 16. Sorrowful 19. English DOWN mathematician 1.Island of Hawaii limb Tree 20. 2. Second son of Adam and Eve 21. Recoil
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 25.
goat 29. Large marine food fish 30. Stalk 32. Roll of bank notes
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26. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Stay far from this one
Dear George,
I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 5 YEARS now but recently I have encountered a huge problem. My wife’s friend has come to me with a very strange request. She has been married for six years but they have no children and she believes (no proof) it’s her husband who is the problem. She wants me to make her pregnant and I can sleep with her as many times as needed. The baby, she said, would be a miracle baby. George, at first I objected to the idea but now I’m leaning towards granting her request as a good deed to humanity. Would it be wrong for me to help a Sister out?
Your wife’s friend and her husband should be left alone to sort out their problems, through counseling and medical procedures. This is not a case in which you should be involved, Do not let this friend of your wife lure you into making a mistake that could result in the demise of your own marriage.
Just wondering
George
Dear Just wondering,
A Carnival backlash Dear George,
Dear Mad as hell,
THE CARNIVAL SEASON is over and my wife insists I will to use a condom her until I get tested for AIDS. Her allegation is that I probably slept with one of my friends who returned from home for the carnival. George, this is absolute nonsense! I have refused to do as she wishes and as a result this is causing us to drift apart. Please talk some sense into her head for me.
This sounds like a classic case of your wife overreacting and bordering on paranoia. If you have given her no reason in the past to distrust you, then I see no good reason for her present position. I suggest you go see a counselor as soon as you are able, and maybe then she can be made to understand that you don’t try to fix something that is not broken.
Mad as hell
George
I took it back and... Dear George, Yes, the incident you described can negatively impact your … discovering MY WIFE AND I went to the something like this about your wife. supermarket recently and the cashier Let her know how much this is mistakenly did not charge us for an expensive. My wife was the one who troubling you and maybe at the end of the discussion she might be in discovered the error but thought we should keep the item. I did not and I agreement that her action was not took it upon myself to return the item. exemplary, to say the least. Do not let this push you apart. The cashier was overly grateful. Your approach to the subject would be George, I was disappointed with crucial and can influence the my wife’s position. I thought I had outcome. married an honesty person. Now, I find myself not being drawn to her as George before. I don’t want to bring up the subject again but feel that if it’s not discussed, that cold feeling I now have for her might go on forever. What do you think?
Unsettling Dear Unsettling,
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 27.
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28. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
Junior Tennis titles claimed THE 2026 EDITION of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association (SVGTA) Summer Junior Tennis Tournament concluded officially at the National Tennis Centre, Villa, July 17, with a Closing and Presentation Ceremony. Among those receiving their rewards was the Girls Under-10 champion Elaina Grant, who won all three matches played. Amina Lucas was the runner up. On the side of the gender, Nathaniel Sheen trumped after secured two wins from as many matches. Rajveer Premraj was second. Sheen also took the Under-14 consolation award. Taking the Girls Under-12 was Zhordanne Jack who was spotless in her four matches, leaving Lucas as the next best. Keyondre Gaymes was a double winner as he took the Boys Under-12
Amina Lucas (left), Zhordanne Jack (right) - Girls Under-14 Doubles. ahead of Zion Byfield Grant, and the Under-14 over Isaiah Smart. Loukhya Premraj registered a 6-1, 6-0 triumph over Zhordanne Jack en route to taking the Girls Under-16 title. Premraj was not done yet. She went on to dominant in the Under18s, winning all three matches. Perezideh Griffith docked second. Copping the Girls Under-16 was Olivia
Aussi, who beat Zahra Hypolite 6-1, 7-6 in the final. The Boys Under-16 was pouched by Jaiden Bowens who played unbeaten in his four round robin matches. Second to him was Kethyon Gaymes. Bowens and Kethyon Games teamed up to capture the Under-18 Doubles beating the pair of Jadon Fraser and Khaled Hope 6-0, 6-1.
Keondre Gaymes – Boys Under-1 and Under-14 champion.
Nathaniel Sheen – Boys Under-10 Champion.
Elaina Grant –Girls Under-10 Champion.
Kethyon Gaymes won the Boys Under-16 title, beating Isaiah Smart 6-1, 6-2, in the final. Taking the Boys Under-16 consolation award was Ethan Kent. Zhordanne Jack and Amina Lucas won over Elaina Grant and Shenia Edwards 6-0, 6-1, to take the Girls Under-14 Doubles. The duo of Judah Abbott and Rio Marks-
Dasent won the Under14 Boys Doubles, via a walkover from Zion Byfield- Grant and Keyondre Gaymes. Additionally, Abbott helped himself to the consolation prize, whilst Phoenix Boyea was the Girls Under-14 and Under-16 consolation winner. Madissen Gonsalves and Olivia Aussi beat Zahra Hypolite and Loukhya Premraj 6-2, 4-
6, 11-9 to fittingly crown off the tournament in the showdown of the Under18 Girls Doubles final. And, gaining the awards as the players who displayed the best sportsmanship were Zhordanne Jack and Rio Marks- Dasent, the boys and girls’ recipients, respectively. The tournament ran from July 13 to 17 and saw 33 players competing for honours.
Samuel hits a Squash Association in glee winning century KEVIN SAMUEL hit a match winning century as Jav Strike Eagles triumphed convincingly over Supper Sixers in a First Division weekend match in the National Lotteries, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association 50 Overs Cricket Competition. In that match played at Stubbs, Eagles scored 250 all out, led by Kevin Samuel’s 103. Jurenze Samuel, 3/52 was Super Sixers’ best bowler. Sixers were dismissed for 11, Shiman Billingy top scoring with 24 and Ishron Joseph taking 3/18 for the victors. Man of the match was Kevin Samuel. In another weekend First Division match, Smashers beat Bequia by 6 wickets in a match played at Arnos Vale 2. Bequia made 196 - Delroy Gregg 65 and Terron Campbell 48. Travis Cumberbatch took 4/72. Smashers replied with 200 for 4, Imran Samuel 76, Roland Scott 38. Lorane Ollivierre took 2 for 62. Man of the match- Imran Samuel. In the Premier Division match played at Sion Hill, Police Two defeated Flow Radcliff by 7 wickets. Flow Radcliffe scored 123 for 9 off 23.4 overs, Dillon Douglas 41, Romano Pierre 37. Kenneth Dember took 3 for 26 and Kemron Strough 2 for 14. Police responded with 124 for 3, Dember 62. Man of the match- Kenneth Dember. MSDA Julius Anthony Northern Stars beat Saints by 9 wickets at Cumberland. Saints batted first and scored 58 in 16 overs - Watson Seaton 4/10, Jide John 3/10 and nd Kesrick Williams 2/8, MSDA Julius Anthony Northern Stars replied with 59 for 1 from 8 overs, Elron Lewis 29 not out. I.B.A. ALLEN
THE EXECUTIVE of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Squash Association, is in buoyant following the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ showing at the 2026 Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Tournament, which ended July 16, in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. St. Vincent and the Grenadines finished third overall, the best finish this country has attained at the tournament that dates back to 1981. The nine-player Vincentian team compiled 16 points, one less than second place Cayman Islands. Guyana was the overall winners on 32 points. Speaking on behalf of her Executive- President Amber Glasgow, lauded the players for their resilience and for making their country proud. “It was about working together, fighting for and with each other. Gratitude overwhelms the celebratory feeling. I
knew the players had it in them; we knew the team had what it takes. This was years in the making”, Glasgow commented. “Finally, we have finished in the top three given the least resources, that our Squash courts are among the worst in the region, if not the worst. We have the least number of coaches and the least number of volunteers available to the sport”, Glasgow added. The president is hopefully the powers that be will take a serious look at the sport’s infrastructure. There are only two courts at the National Squash Centre at Paul’s Avenue. Despite the many challenges, including funding, flight cancellation that saw the team arriving in Tortola just hours before the tournament got going, St Vincent and the
The history-making nine-member squash team with coach Jules Snagg (stooping). Grenadines copped three titles. Among the titles were: the Boys Team, which was the first for the country; Jayden George Boys Under-17 and Zavin Garrick- the Boys Under11. Additionally, Jaydon Williams took third in the Boys Under-19 and the pair of Jayden George and Aiden De Freitas was the runner up in the Boys Doubles. Savante Padmore was
the Boys Under-13 Plate winner; Aiden De Freitas- Boys Under-17 Plate winner and Ethan Webster- Boys Under-15 Consolation winner. Apart from the six males, the team included three females: Caeli Georget — Under-15; Naira Skye- John Under-17; Ciara GeorgeUnder-19. Jules Snagg was the team’s coach and Cindy Walcott- Manager/ Chaperone.
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Sports
WISG Team named
Roxell John upbeat ahead of WISG
Jueneka Quow (Captain), Giada Small, Ketonna Campbell, Nickyla Tannis, Oliva John, Amunique Edwards, Tahila James and Kalia Wyllie. Track and Field squad comprises AJ Delplesche (Male Captain) Jadelle Hector, Leemore Ollivierre, Teron Muckette , Neovor Nanton, Kobe Ollivierre , Kenneth Gurley, Trevel Sylvan , Kareem Davis Kenesha Richards, Aria Carter, Toccara Barbour, Ayah Stepleton, Ariel Stephens, Zekisha Kelly, Kylar Jeffery and Kesiann John (Female Captain). Named as the main Oliva John – a new netball prospect. male Volleyballers Jaden Adams (Captain), Jemari are Joshua Nicholls Roos, Shay Martin, Ronaldo Bobb, (Captain), Waynel Elvis Wood, Andre Quashie and Lewis, Zane Walsh, Jaden Gonsalves, and the females Jason Ja Debique, are Ceronique Mitchell (Captain), Kevin Franklyn, Darielle Ollivierre, Azumi Quow Shawn Slater, Kyjon and Kathryn Cumberbatch. Williams and Tyson Kareem Davis is the overall Dalzell, with the male Captain and Ceronique female team led by Mitchell has that duty for the Nayelli Fergus, and females. including Reanna The coaches are Kevin Francis Robinson, London —Football; Jannett ChristopherJackson, Nathahllia Netball; Khalil Cato- Track and Mathews, Maxianna Field; Nikita CampbellDublin and Freida Cumberbatch Volleyball; Vasha Prescott. For the discipline of Adams- Basketball and Ronaldo Franklyn, the Assistant Coach for Basketball, the key Toccara Barbour – shows promise in the Volleyball and Basketball. male personnel are throws – especially the discus as pictured.
THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES team to the CBN/ Winlott Inc. Windward Islands Schools’ Games travels to Castries, St Lucia for the 2026 edition that gets going July 25 and ends August 1. Sixty-two athletes spread across the five disciplines, Football, Netball, Track and Field, Volleyball and Basketball, will carry the torch for St Vincent and the Grenadines. Earning their spots as specialists in Football are Dimitri Thomas (Captain),Taariq Small, Mozrany Harry, Dinesh Grant, Lazaro Lynch, X-avier Jack, Glenroy Layne, Gabriel Doyle, Kevion Clarke, Tyrique Stephens, Imani Miller and Juemar Luke. The first choices for Netball are
ROXELL JOHN, Coordinator of Sports and Physical Activities, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Creative Industries, is of the opinion that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines representation at the 2026 Windward Islands Roxell, Co-ordinator of School Games, is “in a Sports and Physical really good space.” Activities, is confident The Games get going that SVG will have an in St. Lucia today, improved showing at the Friday 24th July, and 2026 WISG in St. Lucia. run until Sunday 02 August. This annual multi-sport youth tournament features student-athletes competing from the four Windward Islands: Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. John’s optimism is predicated on what he said was the completion of a “well planned and structured training camp that started in May at the Campden Park playing field and hard court,” that featured exercises to fine tune the skills of the athletes, with additional team building and motivational items. “We do believe SVG have a good opportunity to do better than we have done in the last four years. Our theme is ‘Rise Vincy rise united in excellence;, and my contribution to them at the beginning and at the end of the camp is that this should be the beginning of the end, meaning this should be the beginning of our movement from the cellar position in this competition.” John said openly, “I do have very, very high confidence in the teams. I think we are really well placed to do well in track and field, netball and football, male basketball and volley ball. We would see some improvement in their performances as it relates to the female component of basketball and volleyball.” He added, “I am pleased with the efforts. There are some areas we need to tighten up on and get better as we go forward after this year. But at this stage, we defiantly are going to be contesting well during the course of these games.” I.B.A. ALLEN
Commonwealth Games: Three swimmers named
L-R: Swimmers Matthew Ballah, Alexander Joachim and Kennice Greene. SWIMMERS MATTHEW Joachim and Kennice BALLAH, Alexander Greene. will represent
St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 2026
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. They will compete at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, July 24 to 29. Anwar Medjahed is the trio’s Coach. The swimmers join the five Track and Field athletes to complete the St. Vincent and the Grenadines team of participants. Handal Roban, Shafiqua Maloney, Uroy Ryan, Mc Kish Compton and Amal Glasgow are the Track and Field representatives.
Chester Morgan travels as that discipline’s coach along with Ryan Foster- Coach of Handal Roban. Track and Field takes place at the EDF Scotstown Stadium, July 27 to August 1. Alexandra Walrond is the team’s Chaperone/ Safe Guarding Officer and Am--ber Glasgowthe General Team Manager. Claude Bascombe Jr. is the Chef de Mission. A scaled down Commonwealth Games 2026 feature ten
disciplines. Apart from Swimming and Track and Field, Artistic Gymnastics, 3 x 3 Basketball, Bowls, Boxing, Judo, Netball, Track Cycling and Weightlifting are the other disciplines. The XXIII Commonwealth Games will also host Para events that include 3 x 3 Wheelchair Basketball, Para Bowls, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Swimming and Para Track Cycling. The Games run from July 23 to August 2.
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30. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
Sir Garfield Sobers: never-ending THE NAME carries its weight. There are variations in many forms. His life and accomplishments mark his passage. Some versions of the impact Sir Garfield Sobers had on lives may never be acknowledged. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in Barbados, at Kensington Oval. His legacy continues with a State funeral scheduled for July 29, one day after he would have celebrated his 90 birthday. His innings stretches beyond the hours he spent at the crease, displaying shots with which players today are trying to come to grips. Analysts describe him as a five-in-one bowler owing to the styles he could turn out. He held the world record of 365 not out in 1958. He was the epitome of Caribbean artistry, fashioned a passion and was attraction. Bowlers afflicted by his mastery with the bat pay tribute to the way he wielded the willow. He spawned generations of cricketers. I was born into the Garfield Sobers century, four years after he hit the record books. (When West Indies toured England in 1963, cricket for West Indians was an equalize) You control politics and economics. But the sporting field is where scores are settled. A West Indies victory spawned reasons for jubilation. It unleashed pride and joy. Sir Garfield embodied the movement of mind and soul. He set his mark, from walking to the crease, shirt collar up, a swag originally Barbadian, and distinctly African. Sir Garfield is revered in a song by Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco who asked: ‘Who’s the greatest cricketer on earth or mars?” He answers, “The Great Sir Garfield Sobers…. .” Alwyn ‘Lord Kitchener’ Roberts, Sparrow’s cultural sidekick, takes pride in Sobers and David Holford’s rescue at Lords in a 1969 Test. That number recalls details of the West Indies struggle. Kitchener sings, “Sobers hit bodow, bodow, two fours. Holdford join and hit them bodow, bodow two more.” That’s another part of Caribbean folklore that is entrenched in our life style. Cricket is emerging as is the pattern of life. Sobers was on the cutting edge before the alterations surfaced. In fact, his impact, and the West Indies’ approach caused many changes to the laws. Sobers is singled as perhaps the greatest batsman ever. That with his bowling prowess, broadened his appeal. His sharp reflexes and graceful movements made catching and fielding something of poetry in motion. Sir Garfield’s humility in the face of his universal feats made him a wonder. His colleagues admit to his humility. He lived with a sense of calm assurance. He put St. Vincent on the world map simply by the act of his name linked to ownership of a property in the South Leeward district of mainland St. Vincent. Vincentians will have been proud to have him as a citizen. But Sir Garfield never restricted his horizons.
SVGTA beckons personnel support
FACED WITH A SHORTAGE of personnel towards optimizing its functioning, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association (SVGTA) is reaching out to volunteers to lend a hand. A plea was made by VicePresident of the SVGTASebastian Cyrus, when he addressed the Closing and Presentation Ceremony of the 2026 Summer Youth Tennis Tournament at the National Tennis Centre, Villa, July 17. Cyrus in his call, beckoned, “The door is open for all who want to help”. Highlighting that the association can do more, but is
often hamstrung by lack of manpower, Cyrus related, “If any parents here, onlookers want to get involved in officiating and coaching, we have plans for more training programmes for coaches and officials, so if you want”. The SVGTA Vice President added, “We have a lot going on but it needs a lot of man power so parents especially, you want to help; to the PE teachers we want you to get involved as well”, Cyrus pleaded.
Sebastian Cyrus
Cyrus lamented that within the present set up, only a few volunteers are at their disposal, which puts a strain on them. The SVGTA has upcoming the Cotecc SVG Chatoyer Tournament, July 25 to 31, World Tennis Tours Juniors Tournaments, August 1 to 7, and 8- 14, as well as the National Open, August 24 -28, all of which will require additional hands.
Six for CAC Games ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES will participate in three disciplines- Athletics, Sailing and Swimming - at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games set for Santo Dominican Republic, July 24 to August 8. Amal Glasgow and Shafiqua Maloney are the two representatives in Track and Field, with Kai Marks-Dasent and Scarlett Hadley registered in sailing. Completing the list are Hazen Dabriel and Zariel NelsonSwimming.
L-R: Hazen Da Briel, Kai Marks-Dasent and Zariel Nelson, are set for their first senior outings. Rawlston Morgan has been named as the Coach for Glasgow and Maloney, with Sabrina Marks-Dasent the official assigned to the two sailors, Tamarah St Hilaire, the Swim Coach, and Suzette Jackson is the Chef de Mission. Track and Field takes place at
the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium, August 2 to 8, while Sailing is scheduled for the Salinas Beach, August 1 to 7. Swimming is an all go at the Juan Pablo Duarte Aquatic Centre, July 28 to August 1. The XXV CAC Games feature 40 sporting disciplines.
Richland Park netball opens
Teams line up during the opening ceremony. EIGHT TEAMS - five senior and three junior — have registered for the 2026 Island Sipz Water Richland Park Netball Tournament, , which opened last Sunday, July 19, at the Richland Park Primary School hard court. In this, the 11th edition of the
tournament, 3JS Valley Strikers, High Park United, San Souci Netball Team, Hardknock Lightening Strikers, and Twin Ballers will compete in the senior division. S&D Success Netters, Vsport Youths and Handmade with Joy will do so in the junior division. Sunday’s opening featured a Fast 5 Nettorama in which High Park United
Action in the Fast 5 Nettorama.
emerged as champion. Geshell Peters, president of the Valley Sports Committee, in her remarks at the opening said, inter alia, “As we start this competition, I would like you to reminds every one of the value of the Valley Sports Committee. Our objective is to promote sports and culture and to play our part in this community in developing young athletes.” I.B.A. ALLEN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026. 31.
Classifieds
Arnos Vale Sports Complex gets additional murals passersby was connected through a representation of the ‘Fairy Jet’. We also revealed that the general have the arches in the objective was to preserve buildings. We wanted to memories of really showcase the neighbourhood life, by scenes in Kingstown”, encouraging the young Stewart explained. generations to appreciate She noted that with the customs of the past. ‘Good Ole Kingstown’, “One of the highlights the youngest artists of ‘Good Ole Kingstown’ were given the task of is the depiction of the doing the bulk of the wooden buses, to work on the mural. “That was one because we want to find a way for them to learn about things of St Vincent and Continued from Backpage.
Shetty stands outs at CARIFTA Chess Championship Continued from Backpage. THE VINCENTIAN joins with the SVG Chess Association in welcoming support for Vedant’s future tournaments OR for Chess Development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To do so, please contact the Federation at svgchessf@yahoo.com.
the Grenadines”, the Arts Development Officer highlighted. In making reference to ‘Alyo Love Play Eh’, Stewart said the “sculptured mural” is three dimensional mixed with two dimensional. Delineating that mural, Stewart said, “We wanted to have childlike effects, hence the triangular structures that are jotting out from the wall, are representative of the
mountainous nature of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”. The murals which took Stewart and her team approximately four weeks to complete, according to the Arts
Development Officer, is set out to add to the aesthetics of the venue, and to encourage the preservation of some of the traditional, childhood practices of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
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FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026
VOLUME 120, No. 30
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Shanique Stewart-Visual Arts Development Officer attached to the Ministry of Culture, in giving the background of the murals,
ACHIEVEMENT has no age limit. Success, growth, and new beginnings can happen at any stage of life. And if there was anyone among us who bears testimony to this adage, it is Vedant Shetty. Ten-year-old Vedant, once again, has not only notched up another rung of achievement on his totem pole, but he has brought pride to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after Vedant Shettty topped taking 1st place in the all ages at the 2026 Under-10 category at Carifta Chess the CARIFTA Hybrid Championship. Chess Championship, one of the Caribbean’s premier youth chess events. Held on 11—12 July 2026, the CARIFTA Hybrid Chess Championship marked the return of the CARIFTA Chess Championships after a sevenyear hiatus. It brought together more than 500 players from 15 Caribbean nations, across multiple age categories. In his representation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Vedant delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 8.5 points out of a possible 9 to secure the Under-10 title. His score was the highest achieved by any player across all age categories, making it even moreso, one of the of the standout performances of the championship. In addition to winning his age category, Vedant also competed in the highly competitive Open Category, where players of all ages faced one another. The ten-year-old, ‘a fish among the sharks’ scored 5.5 points from 9 rounds, finishing in a multi-way tie for fifth place on points, among 101 participants. However, under the tournament’s tie-break system, he was officially ranked 22nd overall… not bad for a 10-year-old on his first CARIFTA Hybrid Chess Championship outing. Vedant’s victory has earned him qualification for the 2026 Central America and Caribbean Youth Chess Championship in Costa Rica, from November 01 — 08.
Continued on Page 31.
Continued on Page 31.
The art team that created the murals at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. Shanique Stewart- Visual Arts Development Officer is at right.
ARNOS VALE SPORTS COMPLEX GETS ADDITIONAL MURALS The mural ‘Alyo Love Play Eh’ captures quite a number of traditional childhood pastimes.
THE PERIMETER WALLS of the Michael Findlay Pavilion at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex are now adorned with two additional murals. The undertaking, spearheaded by the Department of Culture, is a colourful reflection of Vincentian life, depicting tributes to capital Kingstown as well as childhood games and practices. The murals named ‘Good Ole Kingstown’ and ‘Alyo Love Play Eh’, were unveiled on Friday, July 16, 2026. ‘Good Ole Kingstown’ pays tribute to the architecture, market life, and overall vibrancy of the capital, prior to the reconfigurations that took place during the last two decades.
‘Alyo Love Play Eh’ brings to life some of the traditional Vincentian childhood games, such as marble pitching, football in the road, tyre-rolling and hand games.
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