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  • Dominican author launches skills development books aimed at preparing children and youth for the future

    Dominican author launches skills development books aimed at preparing children and youth for the future

    In June 2026, Dominican entrepreneur and youth development advocate Marilyn A. Cuffy-Morris officially launched two groundbreaking skills development textbooks tailored to support children and young adults in building foundational practical abilities for personal, academic, and long-term professional success.

    The launch marks a key milestone in Cuffy-Morris’ years-long work advancing youth empowerment and entrepreneurial education across Dominica, according to an official press statement from her team. Titled *GROW Smart, Skills for Great Kids* and *FUTURE Builders, A Complete Skills Book for Today’s Youth*, the two publications fill a gap in local educational resources by serving as a single comprehensive hub for multi-disciplinary skills training that is not currently available in one unified local textbook. The content covers a broad spectrum of critical competencies, ranging from physical health and personal safety to social skills, soft professional skills, core academics, financial literacy, digital proficiency, information technology, and technical vocational skills.

    Cuffy-Morris emphasizes that while early cognitive development begins at birth, key life and professional skills require intentional teaching and nurturing throughout childhood and adolescence. Building these capabilities early, she argues, is essential to helping young people grow into confident, capable adults prepared to meet the demands of modern work and life.

    The first text, *GROW Smart, Skills for Great Kids*, is designed specifically for children aged 8 to 11. Structured as a supplementary learning resource for primary school classrooms, it includes ready-to-use activities for educators to reinforce core skills lessons and engage young learners hands-on.

    The second publication, *FUTURE Builders, A Complete Skills Book for Today’s Youth*, targets a broader youth demographic spanning 13 to 21 years old. To better align with different developmental stages, the text is paired with two separate activity workbooks tailored for 12- to 15-year-olds and 16- to 21-year-olds respectively. The flexible resource format makes the materials adaptable for a wide range of learning settings, including Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curricula, standard classroom instruction, youth clubs, community organizations, non-profits, youth-focused business programs, and specialized initiatives such as Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and 4-H clubs.

    Leading up to the official launch, Cuffy-Morris built momentum for the initiative with a complementary skills outreach project: an original skills-focused song titled “Check out the lineup, check out the time,” which she premiered during an appearance on Vibes Radio on June 3, 2026. The track encourages young people to pursue skills development opportunities and urges parents to actively support their children’s engagement in practical learning programs.

    Through her company MAANZ Limited, Cuffy-Morris plans to expand this work with a new upcoming initiative branded “Young Skilled Bosses,” which will invite parents to register their children for a range of structured skills development programs.

    During the June 2026 launch events, hundreds of copies of the new books were distributed to students participating in a local STEM initiative, with recipients including learners from Wesley High School, Dominica Grammar School, and Petite Savanne Primary School. Additional copies were donated to the Dominica Scouts Association and multiple other educational institutions across the country. The launch also featured a career panel where working professionals from diverse fields shared how foundational skills development shaped their career trajectories. Speakers included Dr. Curtis St. John, who shared insights on skill building for medical careers; experienced automechanic Ernest St. Jean, who discussed the value of technical skills for automotive work; Rawle Leslie, former Dean of the Food, Agriculture and Applied Technology (FAAT) Department at Dominica State College, who highlighted core competencies for agricultural careers; and a TVET representative, who outlined available vocational training opportunities for Dominican youth.

    Cuffy-Morris’ work in youth development already extends deeply into the growing STEM education space in Dominica. On May 14, 2026, she was invited to present on the topic “STEM and Entrepreneurship, bridging the gaps” at a STEM Fair Lead Teachers Workshop hosted at the University of the West Indies Open Campus. She also took part in a STEM exhibition, where she showcased her earlier STEM-aligned book *I’m a child, I’m not too young, tell me now*, which supports early STEM entrepreneurship education for children.

    Across all her projects, Cuffy-Morris is working to shift attitudes toward youth skills training, encouraging parents, schools, and community stakeholders to prioritize early exposure to entrepreneurship and practical skill building. She believes that early intentional investment in these areas will not only help children grow into well-rounded, adaptable adults but also drive long-term positive economic growth across Dominica by building a more skilled, capable future workforce.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Earns Three World Travel Awards Nominations in Romance Categories

    Antigua and Barbuda Earns Three World Travel Awards Nominations in Romance Categories

    The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has landed three coveted spots on the 2026 World Travel Awards shortlist, all in romance-focused travel categories that highlight its reputation as a top getaway for couples and newlyweds.

    The destination itself earned a nomination for Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, joining 10 other regional shortlisted candidates that include Barbados, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Two of the nation’s standout resorts also picked up separate nominations for their romantic hospitality offerings.

    Private getaway Jumby Bay Island is in the running for Caribbean’s Leading Wedding Resort, competing against nine other regional properties. Renowned honeymoon planner Renee Meyer has praised the private-island resort as an ideal pick for intimate, high-end weddings, noting its spacious multi-bedroom villas that can accommodate entire wedding parties comfortably.

    The second nominated resort, Sandals Grande Antigua, is one of just eight properties shortlisted for Caribbean’s Leading Romantic Resort. It faces stiff competition from comparable luxury properties across the Caribbean, including venues in Jamaica, Nevis, Saint Barthélemy, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

    News of the three nominations was first highlighted in a Forbes article published this Tuesday, which focused on the Caribbean’s top options for wedding, honeymoon, and romantic travel. The Forbes feature only covered four specific romance-focused World Travel Awards categories, so it does not represent a full list of all nominations Antigua and Barbuda may have secured across the broader awards program. Winners for the highlighted categories are scheduled to be revealed this coming October.

  • Applications for UK Government’s Chevening Scholarships now open

    Applications for UK Government’s Chevening Scholarships now open

    One of the world’s most prestigious international scholarship programmes, the UK’s Chevening Scholarships, has officially opened its application window for 2026, with prospective candidates able to submit their materials between August 4 and October 6 2026.

    Designed to nurture the next generation of global leaders, Chevening offers full funding for one-year master’s degrees at accredited UK universities, alongside access to an extensive global professional network. Beyond financial support, the programme equips selected scholars with world-class academic training, cross-border professional connections with UK institutions and leaders, and a shared foundation of values focused on solving pressing global challenges and advancing inclusive sustainable development in scholars’ home communities and across the world.

    With a 40-year legacy of empowering emerging leaders, the programme has received hundreds of thousands of applications from across the globe since its launch in 1983. To date, more than 60,000 professionals from diverse backgrounds have used Chevening as a springboard to advance their careers and create meaningful global impact, embodying the UK government’s long-term commitment to developing future leadership capacity worldwide.

    Successful candidates are not selected solely for academic achievement. The programme prioritises individuals who align with Chevening’s core vision of building a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable global future, and who can demonstrate proven leadership ability, meaningful influence, and strong networking skills through clear, evidence-based examples in their applications.

    Emma Hennessey, Head of the Chevening Scholarships Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), emphasized the programme’s core mission in a statement. “Chevening is looking for exceptional individuals who are ready to collaborate with the UK to help build a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future,” Hennessey said. “We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive cohort of global future leaders, so we are particularly interested in receiving applications from under-represented groups.”

    She added that selection is based on more than past accomplishments: “Our scholars and fellows are chosen not only for their achievements, but for their leadership potential, their ability to build meaningful connections, and their commitment to creating lasting impact in their communities and globally. Through access to UK education, networks, and experiences, Chevening equips future leaders with the tools and connections needed to address shared international challenges together.”

    Hennessey encouraged all potential applicants to take time to align their personal and professional goals with the programme’s mission before applying. “I encourage anyone considering applying to reflect carefully on Chevening’s vision and purpose, and on how their own experiences and ambitions align with the impact our global community is working to achieve,” she noted.

    All applications must be submitted through the official Chevening website at chevening.org/apply. Ahead of applying, the programme strongly recommends that candidates review Chevening’s full vision and available resources at chevening.org/vision to assess their readiness to submit a competitive application. Full details on eligibility requirements and scholarship terms can be found at chevening.org/resources.

    This announcement was shared by the British High Commission in St George’s. NOW Grenada, the platform hosting the announcement, notes that it is not responsible for the views, statements, or content shared by contributing organizations, and provides a reporting channel for any reported abuse of the platform.

  • Pierre, ministers sound the alarm on reckless driving

    Pierre, ministers sound the alarm on reckless driving

    A sharp uptick in road accidents and preventable deaths across Saint Lucia has prompted urgent action from the nation’s highest-ranking officials, who are calling on the public to take road safety far more seriously than it has in recent years. During a pre-cabinet press briefing held Monday, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste, and Minister for Culture and Tourism Dr. Ernest Hilaire jointly framed the growing road crisis as a critical national threat that cannot be ignored by any member of the public.

    As of the end of July 2026, official data shows the island nation has already recorded 16 road fatalities this year. A disproportionate number of these deaths have involved young, promising Saint Lucians, with inexperienced young drivers frequently counted both as those responsible for reckless collisions and the victims of these preventable tragedies. Beyond the immediate grief inflicted on communities and families, these accidents represent a devastating loss for the entire nation, eroding its most valuable resource: human capital.

    Prime Minister Pierre has repeatedly voiced his deep frustration over the unnecessary loss of life and destruction of property caused by careless driving. Speaking to reporters at Monday’s briefing, he emphasized that while the government will continue to fulfill its obligations to improve road safety, every individual driver must first recognize road safety as a core personal responsibility.

    “We can free ourselves from the culture of carelessness that has taken over our roads… the current rate of road accidents is completely unacceptable,” Pierre stated. “I am not here to judge individual drivers, but we cannot ignore the recklessness that is plaguing our highways and local roads. We all must take ownership of how we operate our vehicles behind the wheel.”

    He went on to note that the government is pursuing a comprehensive, whole-of-system review of the country’s road safety framework, but stressed that meaningful change starts with individual action. “Too often drivers offer excuses like falling asleep at the wheel, but the core problem is right in front of us: people are driving far too fast for our roads,” Pierre added.

    Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste further highlighted the cascading public health impact of the rising accident rate, noting that the surge in non-fatal road crash injuries is already placing unsustainable additional strain on Saint Lucia’s overstretched healthcare system. Echoing the prime minister’s stance, Jn Baptiste said that while the government has a clear duty to protect road users, ultimate responsibility for safe travel rests with each commuter.

    “The government of Saint Lucia is committed to doing more, across every area: we are reviewing existing legislation, expanding road safety education programs, and investing in infrastructure improvements, among other initiatives,” Jn Baptiste explained. “But at the end of the day, road safety is just like personal health: people often demand more public facilities, but the foundation of good outcomes is individual responsibility.”

    Minister Hilaire, for his part, pointed to a well-documented trend: Saint Lucia consistently sees a spike in road collisions during the country’s festive seasons, when higher rates of alcohol consumption among event attendees increase the risk of impaired driving. Current Saint Lucian law states that any person caught driving while intoxicated is liable to a summary conviction carrying a fine of up to $5,000, a prison sentence of up to one year, or both. Hilaire argues that local law enforcement needs to strengthen enforcement of these existing regulations, particularly after large public events where alcohol is served.

    “Decades ago, when we had far fewer vehicles on the road, fewer large public gatherings and less alcohol consumption, our roads were inherently much safer,” Hilaire noted. “Times have changed, and we need to adapt our approach. There is a clear need for increased police presence and stricter enforcement on our roads, especially after events where drinking is common.”

    The joint appeal from the three government leaders comes as the nation grapples with a growing public safety crisis that has touched communities across the country, with officials hopeful that a renewed focus on personal accountability and stronger enforcement can reverse the upward trend in preventable road deaths.

  • Caribbean Women in Leadership Launches Third Cohort of Fempenure Fund Program to Support Women Entrepreneurs

    Caribbean Women in Leadership Launches Third Cohort of Fempenure Fund Program to Support Women Entrepreneurs

    The Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership (CIWiL) has officially launched the third iteration of its landmark Fempenure Fund Program, a targeted initiative created to uplift women entrepreneurs across Antigua and Barbuda. This new cohort is delivered through a strategic multi-stakeholder partnership that brings together the Prime Minister’s Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP), the Inland Revenue Department, and the Intellectual Property & Commerce office, demonstrating aligned dedication to advancing women-led economic activity.

    Organizers of the program emphasize that this cross-agency collaboration is more than a logistical arrangement—it reflects a shared national commitment to nurturing women’s enterprise and driving inclusive, sustainable economic growth across the twin-island nation. Unlike generic business support schemes, the Fempenure Fund Program is tailored to meet the unique needs of women entrepreneurs at every stage of their professional journey, whether they are launching a brand-new startup or scaling an already established small business. Participants will gain access to specialized industry knowledge, critical business resources, and ongoing mentorship and guidance, all designed to help them build resilient, profitable enterprises that can withstand market fluctuations.

    For CIWiL, the launch of this third cohort marks a key milestone in the organization’s long-standing core mission: empowering women through leadership development and entrepreneurial opportunity. The institution notes that when women business owners are given the tools to succeed, the positive impact ripples far beyond individual company balance sheets. Strong, stable women-led businesses generate lasting benefits for household incomes, local community development, and the overall national economy.

    “At CIWiL, we believe that when women succeed, families prosper, communities thrive, and nations grow stronger,” a representative from the organization stated in a press briefing following the launch. The program is being rolled out under the unifying theme “Empowering Women. Strengthening Businesses. Transforming Communities.” which encapsulates its broad, long-term objectives. CIWiL is actively encouraging both aspiring new entrepreneurs and established women business owners across Antigua and Barbuda to take advantage of this opportunity, framing the program as a clear pathway to grow their enterprises, advance their professional goals, and contribute to national economic progress.

  • Authorities to ensure reproductive health care continuity during emergencies

    Authorities to ensure reproductive health care continuity during emergencies

    Against a backdrop of rising global instability and growing regional uncertainty, Barbados has launched a landmark collaborative initiative to safeguard critical sexual and reproductive health services for vulnerable populations when disasters or humanitarian crises strike. Led jointly by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Barbados’ Ministry of Health and Wellness, the effort kicked off this week with a two-day Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) Readiness Assessment and Action Planning Workshop, held at United Nations House in Hastings, bringing together public health leaders, emergency response teams and representatives from cross-sector key agencies.

    Barbados’ Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth George used the opening address to warn against overconfidence, noting that while the island nation has not faced a large-scale humanitarian disaster in recent years, this track record is no excuse for complacency. “Disasters can strike anywhere, even here in Barbados,” George emphasized. “Our recent period without major crises does not justify inaction – if anything, it demands increased vigilance and proactive preparedness.”

    Pointing to mounting global disruptions and ongoing regional challenges, including the protracted humanitarian situation in Venezuela, George stressed that emergencies can escalate rapidly with little warning. While food, clean water and emergency shelter are universally recognized as immediate post-disaster priorities, he argued that sexual and reproductive health care is too often sidelined despite its life-saving importance.

    “Consider a pregnant woman going into labor mid-disaster, or a young girl seeking protection from gender-based violence in an overcrowded emergency shelter,” George said. “Sexual and reproductive health is not a luxury during a crisis. It is a life-saving priority and a fundamental human right.”

    Global health data underscores the stakes of this work. The World Health Organization estimates that two-thirds of all preventable maternal deaths and 45 percent of newborn deaths occur in regions impacted by conflict or natural disasters. Dr. George explained that UNFPA research has repeatedly shown that timely, prioritized reproductive health services in crises reduce preventable mortality, cut disability rates, lower the risk of unintended pregnancies, and improve support for survivors of gender-based violence. Without coordinated, cross-agency preparedness, he added, years of hard-won progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes can be lost in an instant. That makes the current workshop a critical step to protect those gains.

    De-Jane Gibbons, UNFPA Liaison Officer for Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), echoed that sentiment, noting that emergencies inherently amplify the risk of sexual violence and unintended pregnancies, making advance preparedness non-negotiable. “It is our shared collective responsibility to ensure that childbirth does not become a life-threatening experience simply because of crisis conditions or a shortage of essential supplies,” she said.

    The workshop is structured to deliver actionable, country-specific outcomes. On its first day, participants conducted a comprehensive review of Barbados’ current response capacity, existing service delivery frameworks, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms, with a focus on identifying unaddressed gaps and weaknesses. On the second day, attendees will turn those assessment findings into a concrete national action plan, using scenario-based response exercises to test existing national capabilities and map out exactly what resources will be needed to fill gaps.

    Gibbons emphasized that long-term success will depend on sustained cross-sector collaboration, noting that key stakeholders including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, national polyclinics, the Bureau of Gender Affairs, the Department of Emergency Management, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and other regional partners will all need to work in lockstep to ensure that vulnerable populations can access uninterrupted essential care, even when crisis hits.

  • Jamara Patterson advances to 400m Semifinals at Commonwealth Games

    Jamara Patterson advances to 400m Semifinals at Commonwealth Games

    Glasgow, Scotland – Rising 400-meter sprint star Jamara Patterson has kicked off her 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign with a solid opening-round performance, locking in her place in the event’s semifinal stage and earning a surprise visit from her formative coach along the way.

    Competing in the first preliminary heat of the women’s 400m at Scotstoun Stadium on July 28, Patterson crossed the finish line in 52.79 seconds to claim third place. She finished just fractions of a second behind Great Britain’s top pair – Charlotte Henrich, who took the heat win in 52.13 seconds, and Laviai Nielsen, who clocked 52.76s for second – a result good enough to earn Patterson an automatic spot in the next round.

    The young Grenadian comes into the Glasgow Games fresh off a career breakthrough earlier this year, when she set a blistering new personal best of 50.98 seconds. That mark cemented her position as the second-fastest 400m woman in Grenada’s recorded history, and Patterson has entered the Commonwealth Games with clear, ambitious goals: shave time off her personal best, push through to the final, and prove her potential on one of athletics’ biggest global stages.

    What made the opening round even more memorable for Patterson was the unexpected presence of Ronald Charles, her high school coach from St Joseph’s Convent and a lead mentor with Grenada’s Finishline Sports Club. Charles, who has supported Patterson since her early athletic development, kept his trip to Glasgow a secret, turning his appearance into a warm surprise for the sprinter, who has competed and studied on the U.S. collegiate circuit since 2023.

    After watching Patterson’s opening heat, Charles shared that the young athlete remains calm, focused, and grounded despite the pressure of competing at a major international championship for Grenada. For the coach himself, sharing the Commonwealth Games stage with his former trainee marks a major milestone in his decades-long coaching career, which includes previously leading Grenada’s Paralympic delegation to the Para Pan American Games.

    “It is a surreal experience being at a global event like this,” Charles reflected. “It’s a major learning experience for me that builds directly on my coaching background.”

    Patterson is set to return to the track for the 400m semifinals on July 30, with the race scheduled to kick off at 7:45 a.m. Grenada local time. She will now turn her focus to earning one of the coveted spots in the event’s final round, as she chases her first major international medal and a new personal best.

  • Cuba’s National Rebellion Day observed in Dominica with calls for continued solidarity

    Cuba’s National Rebellion Day observed in Dominica with calls for continued solidarity

    On a significant diplomatic occasion at its headquarters in Dominica, the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba hosted a formal ceremony to celebrate the country’s National Rebellion Day, drawing attendees from two key bilateral organizations: the Dominica Guild of Cuban Graduates and the Dominica-Cuba Friendship Association.

    Beyond its commemorative purpose, the gathering served as a platform to celebrate the decades-long collaborative bond between Havana and Roseau, while shining a spotlight on the critical contributions the two participating organizations have made over the years to nurturing people-to-people ties and advancing official cooperation between the two Caribbean nations.

    In his keynote address to attendees, Cuban Ambassador to Dominica Miguel Fraga opened a discussion on the pressing contemporary challenges that Cuba navigates, according to an official press statement released by the embassy following the event. Fraga centered much of his remarks on the far-reaching harm caused by the longstanding, recently intensified economic, commercial and financial blockade enforced by the United States. He placed specific focus on the crippling impacts of the oil embargo component of the restrictions, detailing the widespread daily hardships the policy has imposed on ordinary Cuban citizens.

    Fraga also directed sharp criticism at what he framed as the growing aggression and hostile policy threats against Cuba advanced by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring how these actions have exacerbated existing pressures on the island nation. Despite these challenges, the ambassador emphasized that Cuba retains widespread backing across the global community. He pointed to the most recent annual United Nations vote on the blockade as clear evidence of this support, noting that an overwhelming majority of UN member states once again voted in favor of a resolution calling for an immediate end to the U.S. embargo. Fraga noted that this lopsided outcome underscores the growing international isolation of Washington’s policy toward Cuba on the global stage.

    As part of the day’s commemorative activities, the ceremony included a special honor for Dr. Damien Dublin, who was recognized by the Dominica Guild of Cuban Graduates for his unwavering, longstanding commitment to deepening bilateral friendship and cooperation between Cuba and Dominica, as well as his consistent public support for the Cuban Revolution.

    Following the address and award presentation, representatives from all participating organizations issued a collective reaffirmation of their solidarity with Cuba. They pledged to continue standing with the Cuban people in defense of the country’s sovereign right to self-determination, in the face of ongoing U.S. sanctions and other unilateral coercive measures.

    The event drew to a close with attendees reflecting on the deep, durable roots of the Cuban-Dominica relationship, which has been built across decades of shared cooperation, mutual respect for national sovereignty and reciprocal support. All attendees united in a public commitment to continuing work to expand and strengthen the bilateral partnership in the years ahead.

  • Tuach advances to shortboard semis at CAC Games

    Tuach advances to shortboard semis at CAC Games

    Elite athletes representing Barbados have delivered a mix of standout and solid performances across multiple sporting disciplines at the ongoing Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games hosted in the Dominican Republic, with one top surfer punching her ticket to the next stage of competition.

    Chelsea Tuach, Barbados’ leading female professional surfer, secured a second-place finish in her preliminary heat, a result that earned her a coveted spot in the men’s shortboard semifinal scheduled to take place Tuesday. Following her successful qualifying run, Tuach is set to face off against Venezuela’s top surfer Rosanny Alvarez in the knockout round for a spot in the final.

    In the men’s shortboard surfing competition, Barbadian contender Jacob Burke wrapped up his tournament run with a respectable fifth-place finish, wrapping up the country’s surfing contingent results for the Games.

    Beyond the waves, Barbados picked up a thrilling win in men’s Group A hockey action, overpowering Guatemala 4-2 in a competitive matchup. The Caribbean side’s victory was fueled by a brace from forward Kanye Wharton, with additional strikes from Ahijah Springer and Khodi Gibson sealing the three points for Barbados.

    In men’s individual golf play, after three full rounds of competition, Barbadian golfer Xzavier Wiggins holds down 13th position in the tight 14-player field, with more play set to come to determine the final medal standings.

    One of the most dramatic comebacks of the day for Barbados came in the Men’s Rugby Sevens draw, where the side overturned a 0-5 halftime deficit against Costa Rica to rally for a dominant 24-5 final win. Forward John Simon led the team’s second-half charge, finishing the match with five total points to anchor the comeback victory.

  • OECS appoints Aisha Maina as strategic advisor to strengthen Africa-Caribbean cooperation

    OECS appoints Aisha Maina as strategic advisor to strengthen Africa-Caribbean cooperation

    The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has made a key strategic appointment to deepen cross-regional ties, announcing that Aisha Maina, current Chief Executive Officer of Pan-African advisory firm Aquarian Consult Limited, will take up the newly created role of Strategic Advisor for Africa-Caribbean Cooperation. Official OECS press materials confirm the appointment officially went into effect on July 1, 2026, and is designed to accelerate the bloc’s ongoing work to build stronger, mutually beneficial partnerships between Eastern Caribbean nations and African countries across trade, investment, and a range of shared priority sectors.

    Maina brings a diverse and extensive professional background to the new position, with deep expertise spanning governance frameworks, international trade, energy development, agribusiness, the creative economy, and socially impactful investment, per OECS assessments. Over her tenure leading Aquarian Consult Limited, she has overseen the delivery of dozens of high-impact regional and international development initiatives, while building deep, collaborative relationships with public sector institutions and private sector leaders across every major region of Africa. These cross-sector connections and proven leadership track record position her uniquely to drive forward cooperation between the two regions, OECS officials note.

    In welcoming Maina to the OECS team, OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules emphasized the strategic importance of the appointment. “We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Aisha Maina to the OECS Commission,” Jules said. “Her proven track record of delivery, transformational leadership at Aquarian Consult, and expansive, forward-thinking vision for equitable South-South collaboration make her the ideal person to lead our strategic engagement with African nations. This appointment is a clear reflection of our unwavering commitment to building a more resilient, globally connected, and economically prosperous community for all OECS member states.”

    In her new advisory capacity, Maina will report directly to the Office of the Director General, collaborating closely with OECS leadership to co-design policies and strategic frameworks that unlock new economic opportunities for businesses and communities on both sides of the Atlantic, while strengthening institutional collaboration between the two regions.

    Reacting to her appointment, Maina highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and social ties that have long bound African and Caribbean peoples together, and expressed measured optimism about the untapped potential of the expanded partnership. “It is a deep privilege to serve the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States in this capacity,” Maina said. “The historical, cultural, and economic synergy between Africa and the Caribbean represents an immense, largely untapped frontier of opportunity for shared growth. I look forward to working closely with Director General Dr. Didacus Jules and the entire OECS Commission team to translate our shared vision into transformative trade partnerships, inclusive sustainable growth, and lasting people-to-people connections for both our regions, strengthening what we see as a critical Transatlantic Bridge between the Global South.”

    OECS leadership has framed the appointment as a deliberate, incremental step forward in the bloc’s broader commitment to advancing equitable South-South cooperation, and building deeper economic and cultural people-to-people ties between African nations and the 11 Eastern Caribbean member states that make up the OECS bloc.