The Ministry of Culture and Community Development has unveiled a significant new initiative designed to provide sustained support for the nation’s cultural pioneers and veterans. Announced by Minister Michelle Benjamin, the program specifically targets those individuals who have played foundational roles in shaping the country’s cultural identity.
This comprehensive support framework aims to ensure that cultural icons and practitioners receive meaningful assistance during difficult periods, addressing concerns about their welfare and recognition. The initiative represents a formal commitment to protecting those who have contributed substantially to the nation’s cultural heritage.
The announcement, which featured Minister Benjamin alongside renowned calypso legend Timothy ‘Baron’ Watkins, has been welcomed as a necessary step in honoring cultural contributors. According to the ministry’s statement, the program will focus on three primary objectives: recognizing artistic achievements, securing the well-being of aging artists, and preserving their legacies for future generations.
In a letter to the editor, commentator Gerald Agostini praised the initiative as “long overdue” and expressed hope that the support system would remain in place for years to come. The program addresses growing concerns about the welfare of aging cultural figures who have historically received inadequate institutional support despite their significant contributions to national identity.