BY JOYANNE KELLY | SEP 7, 2023
PICTURED ABOVE — A flag-raising ceremony was held at Government Headquarters today to mark Africa-CARICOM Day.
Barbados joined with CARICOM Member States and the African Union to observe Africa-CARICOM Day, September 7, in a flag-raising ceremony at Government Headquarters today.
Acting Prime Minister, Dr. William Duguid, emphasised the bond, shared heritage and history which unite the Caribbean and Africa. He said: “Not only have we come together to coordinate our efforts to ‘repair’ the currently existing international economic and political order and gain for ourselves our rightful place in world affairs, but we have also come together to repair and restructure our own Africa/Caribbean relationship.
“Indeed, we have come together to carry through the cultural repairs and the economic, organisational and institutional restructuring that will deliver to us greater African/Caribbean engagements, collaborations, strength and self-reliance,”
While noting that since the inaugural Africa-CARICOM Summit on September 7, 2021, much still needed to be done to fulfil the commitments agreed upon, he added: “Events that have taken place over the last few years have made the need for African and the Caribbean to establish institutions of collaboration and coordination even more compelling.”
Speaking on behalf of the CARICOM Secretary-General, Director of the CSME Unit, Leo Preville, stated that “the people of the Caribbean Community share deep, historical links with Africa and are committed to forging a shared future of progress, sustainable development and prosperity”. He stated that CARICOM looks forward to building on the foundations laid by the historic Africa-CARICOM summit.
Mr. Preville also noted that many of the goals were being advanced and lauded the launch of Afreximbank Caribbean Office in Barbados. He said nine member states had signed partnership agreements with the Bank, which has committed to extending US$1.5 billion to CARICOM member states. “Already, the Bank has indicated its willingness to consider doubling the line of credit, once partnership agreements have been signed with the remaining member states of CARICOM,” he said.
In further celebration of Africa-CARICOM Day, Kenyan native and scholar in the field of music education, Professor David Akombo, suggested that the 21st Century be considered as the age of enlightenment. He stressed: “As we can envision, technology is currently ubiquitous both in the Caribbean and Africa…. Technology was and still is the driving force of culture, through which the course of history of our collective nations, have indeed shared cultures, shared knowledge, and shared destiny, and therefore a return to culture is more fitting now than ever.”
The flag-raising ceremony and celebration, which brought together representatives of the AU, CARICOM and the Government of Barbados, also featured cultural performances by Riddim Tribe and The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Dance Ensemble, Marissa Lindsay and Betty Payne.
The first Africa-CARICOM Day was held on September 7, 2021.
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