APR 16, 2022 by Sheena Forde- Craigg of BGIS.
Last evening, President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency, Paul Kagame, arrived in Barbados for an official one-day visit to the island.
Upon his arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport, he was greeted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Senior Minister coordinating Social and Environmental Policy, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott and Government’s Chaperone for the official visit, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey.
President Kagame was afforded an official welcome consisting of a Guard-of-Honour led by a detachment from the Barbados Defence Force (BDF). After the playing of the national anthems of both countries by the Barbados Police Service Band, he inspected the Guard of Honour.
Also on hand to welcome the Rwandan President was Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Alies Jordan; Officer-in Charge in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kay Sealy; Cabinet Secretary Hughland Allman; acting Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Resa Layne; BDF Acting Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Carlos Lovell; and Commissioner of Police, Richard Boyce.
President Kagame’s visit to Barbados coincides with government’s thrust to expand and deepen relations with countries in the African continent.
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Article by Kareem Smith first Published on
April 15, 2022 – BARBADOS TODAY
PICTURED ABOVE : Government officials including Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey ( NOT IN PHOTO ) and Foreign Affairs Minister Senator the Most Honourable Dr Jerome Walcott ( EXTREME LEFT ) welcomed President Kagame.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame arrived in Barbados Friday to a red carpet welcome on an official visit here that will seek to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Dr the Most Honourable Jerome Walcott welcomed Mr Kagame at the Grantley Adams International Airport when he and his party arrived in two private jets shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey, who will be the chaperone during the visit, was also at the welcoming ceremony along with Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Alies Jordan and Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kay Sealy.
Mr Kagame’s arrival in Barbados for bi-lateral talks followed a similar visit to Jamaica.
In Kingston, the Rwandan leader and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in tourism and a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultation aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two countries.
During his visit, President Kagame is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Dame The Most Honourable Sandra Mason, and co-chair a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.
He will also participate in a joint press conference, plant a tree in the National Botanical Gardens and observe a road tennis match, before he leaves the island.
This is the East African leader’s first to Barbados.
Government officials including Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey ( left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Senator the Most Honourable Dr Jerome Walcott welcomed President Kagame. 
