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  • Gonsalves wants CARICOM to help West Indies cricket

    Gonsalves wants CARICOM to help West Indies cricket

    West Indies cricket, once a powerhouse of the global game that dominated international competition for decades, finds itself mired in a deepening crisis that threatens its long-term survival, according to former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. In a candid interview with the Jamaica Observer, the 24-year incumbent leader, who stepped down after last November’s general election, has issued a urgent call for Caribbean regional governments to claim a formal, integrated seat at the decision-making table to reverse the sport’s steady decline.

    Worsening on-field performance and crippling financial instability have combined to paint a grim picture for West Indies cricket in recent years. While fan and stakeholder anxiety over the sport’s trajectory has simmered for decades, public and institutional scrutiny spiked dramatically over the last 12 months following a humiliating Test series defeat to Australia last summer. The low point of that series came at Kingston’s Sabina Park, where the entire West Indies batting line-up was bowled out for just 27 runs — a result that sent shockwaves through the global cricket community. Current International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings reflect the depth of the on-field slump: the regional men’s side sits 8th in Test cricket, 10th in One-Day Internationals, and 7th in Twenty20 Internationals, placing it firmly in the bottom half of all ranked ICC member nations.

    Off the field, the financial outlook is equally troubling. Cricket West Indies (CWI), the sport’s regional governing body, projects it will post a $26 million USD loss in the current year, though it has outlined a long-term forecast that predicts a return to profitability by 2027. Gonsalves argues that CWI’s current governing structure — which excludes formal government input — is ill-equipped to tackle these overlapping crises. He insists that closer collaboration between CWI and regional governments is the only path to meaningful reform, noting that governments are unwilling to commit public funding to the sport without receiving proportional decision-making power in return.

    “The governments have to get involved but the governments are not going to get involved seriously if Cricket West Indies continues to think that governments will pour money into Cricket West Indies without them having a say,” Gonsalves told the Jamaica Observer. Though the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) maintains a cricket subcommittee, once chaired by Gonsalves himself, the regional body holds no formal governing authority within CWI. ICC rules currently prohibit direct government interference in the administration of member organizations, but Gonsalves argues that the historic and cultural importance of cricket to the Caribbean demands an exception to this regulation.

    He pointed to precedents in other major cricket nations to back his argument, noting that the Indian Supreme Court has already ruled that cricket is a public good that cannot be managed exclusively by private entities. “I’m sure if it comes to our courts that they will rule similarly because it makes perfect sense,” Gonsalves said. “The law is right reason and right reason indicates that you can’t have a public good of this type being run by a private entity and certainly you can’t expect the parliaments to vote money to put it inside the organisation. I’ve thought long and hard about this thing and I dare anybody to tell me that my conclusions are not correct.”

    Gonsalves’ proposed path forward calls for regional leaders to collectively approach the ICC with a formal diplomatic demarche, laying out the severity of the crisis and requesting approval for expanded government involvement in restructuring and managing West Indies cricket. “If this matter is discussed within the context of the region and governments decide this is the way we’re going to do it and we want to play a part in the management of it and to restructure it, we have to make a demarche to the ICC and say this thing cannot continue like this, because if it continues like this, it would fold,” he explained. “So I don’t think it’s a question of trust, it’s whether we as governments in the region decide whether we’re going to be involved in this matter, and in order to comply with the perspectives of the ICC, where are the tolerable limits for the state’s involvement because we are in a crisis.”

    The West Indies men’s team is set to return to international competition next month, hosting Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is at Sabina Park, the same ground that hosted the devastating 27 all-out collapse against Australia last year. The upcoming series will put the team’s current form under the microscope once again, as calls for structural reform continue to grow across the region.

  • Government reports continued recovery efforts in Salybia and Kalinago Territory after April 26 weather event

    Government reports continued recovery efforts in Salybia and Kalinago Territory after April 26 weather event

    In the wake of a destructive severe weather event that struck Dominica on April 26, 2026, the island nation’s government is ramping up coordinated recovery and relief operations across the hard-hit Salybia Constituency and Kalinago Territory, led by the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment.

    A recent official press release from the ministry outlined that it has partnered closely with national government agencies, humanitarian organizations, local governing bodies, and community leaders to deliver support to affected residents and speed the return of daily life to impacted areas. Current response efforts are centered on four key priorities: reopening blocked access routes, completing comprehensive damage assessments, supporting at-risk vulnerable households, and boosting community preparedness ahead of the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season.

    Hon. Cozier Frederick, the minister heading the ministry and parliamentary representative for Salybia, has been embedded with response teams on the ground throughout the operation, and Dominica’s Prime Minister has also traveled to the Kalinago Territory to meet directly with impacted residents and inspect storm damage firsthand. Minister Frederick reported that substantial progress has already been achieved across the constituency.

    “We have made significant progress in the Salybia Constituency,” Frederick explained in the release. “We have cleared multiple landslides to reopen access between Hatton Garden and Castle Bruce. We have also begun evaluating damage to residential properties impacted by the weather system, completed full assessments of small farms and agricultural holdings whose owners lost critical livelihoods, and we are already addressing the psychosocial trauma that storm exposure has caused for local residents.”

    A diverse coalition of response teams has been deployed to support recovery work across the region, including crews from the Ministry of Public Works, contracted private heavy equipment operators, staff from the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division, and teams from the National Employment Programme (NEP). Together, these groups have worked to clear storm debris, reopen closed roads, inspect damaged culverts, and resolve urgent public safety hazards across affected zones. Joint assessments have identified 18 culverts that require immediate repair, with input from four key stakeholders: the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Public Works, NEP, and local equipment operators.

    The Forestry Division has dispatched specialized chainsaw crews to remove fallen trees, clear blocked access routes, and support slope and environmental damage assessments alongside the Office of Disaster Management (ODM). NEP teams drawn from seven communities across the island — Salybia, Delices, La Plaine, Marigot, Riviere Cyrique, Grand Fond, and Belles — have also joined ongoing community clean-up operations to speed recovery.

    On the humanitarian assistance front, support for affected households has expanded steadily over the course of the response. To date, approximately 1,041 households have received emergency food hampers through the government’s national Rapid Response Programme, with priority distribution allocated to elderly residents, households with young children, people living with disabilities, and other high-vulnerability groups.

    Mental health and psychosocial support services have also been launched to address the emotional toll of the storm. The Ministry of Health and UNICEF are providing trauma counseling for residents impacted by the disaster, and UNICEF has rolled out its specialized “Return to Happiness Programme” at three primary schools in Atkinson, Salybia, and Sineku. The program uses play-centered therapeutic activities including art and music to help children process their storm-related experiences and recover emotionally.

    Agricultural recovery efforts are also moving forward according to the official update. Assessments led by the Ministry of Agriculture have currently evaluated 100 separate agricultural holdings: 70 located within the Kalinago Territory and 30 in the neighboring community of Atkinson. Emanuel Joseph, Animal Health and Production Officer and Acting Team Leader of the East Agricultural Region, confirmed that local farmers have identified four core unmet needs: support to restore damaged farmland, livelihood assistance to offset income losses, improved access to farm areas, and investment to strengthen long-term resilience against future climate-driven extreme weather.

    Housing damage assessments are also ongoing, conducted jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Kalinago Affairs Department. Oswald James, Quality Assurance Officer at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, shared that early assessments have already uncovered urgent housing needs across multiple affected communities. “To date, initial assessments have been completed for 26 impacted households, with 14 of these households identified as requiring urgent relocation support,” James stated. “Immediate needs we have documented include emergency construction repair materials, roof rehabilitation assistance, temporary shelter provision, and slope mitigation work around homes located at high risk of further landslides.”

    The Dominica government has emphasized that it is continuing to coordinate closely with a broad network of partner organizations and international donors to scale up relief and recovery, including UNICEF, UNDP, IsraAID, Tropical Shipping, local private sector groups, and international overseas donors. Support received so far has covered a range of critical needs: psychosocial support services, clean-up tools and heavy equipment, emergency supplies, potable water provision, and logistics support for response operations.

    For long-term recovery planning, the ministry has requested specialized technical assistance from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to conduct a comprehensive national post-disaster damage and economic loss assessment. Per the official release, a team of six ECLAC experts is scheduled to arrive in Dominica in early June to conduct environmental and geospatial assessments that will inform evidence-based recovery planning and long-term resilience building.

    In addition to these efforts, the government has launched a local community work crew recruitment program that serves two goals: it supports ongoing clean-up, agricultural restoration, and road rehabilitation work, while also creating short-term income opportunities for residents whose livelihoods were disrupted by the storm. To date, six local residents have already been recommended for immediate hiring, with additional applications still under review.

    The Government of Dominica reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to supporting residents through every stage of the recovery process, with a core focus on rebuilding communities that are stronger, safer, and more resilient to future extreme weather events.

  • Barbados to lean on IMF if necessary

    Barbados to lean on IMF if necessary

    On Thursday, the Caribbean nation of Barbados wrapped up a three-year precautionary standby arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, securing access to up to $260 million in emergency funding designed as a financial buffer against unforeseen external economic disruptions.

    Crucially, Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasized in a press briefing held at Illaro Court immediately after the staff-level agreement was signed with the visiting IMF delegation that Barbados has no immediate need to draw down any portion of the allocated funds. The agreement, she explained, was structured as a proactive safety net rather than a response to an existing economic crisis within the country.

    Mottley noted that ongoing volatility and widespread uncertainty across the global economy create real risks of sudden adverse shocks that could upend Barbados’ economic stability and quality of life for its residents. By locking in this precautionary arrangement now, the country has positioned itself to respond quickly if challenging conditions emerge. She added that accessing the funds would be a straightforward process: a single formal phone call to the IMF would be enough to activate a withdrawal of any portion of, or the full, $260 million allocation.

    The agreement signing event was attended by key economic and financial leaders from Barbados: the picture from the briefing captures Mottley in conversation with Michael Perks, head of the IMF’s visiting mission to the country, while Marsha Caddle, Barbados’ Minister of Economic Affairs, and Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, observe the discussion.

  • Tiffany Strann-Peters Sworn In as Senator as Female Representation Grows

    Tiffany Strann-Peters Sworn In as Senator as Female Representation Grows

    In a formal ceremonial event held at Government House on Wednesday, Tiffany Anthea Lauren Strann-Peters officially took office as a new Government Senator, a milestone that senior national officials have framed as a transformative step forward for gender parity in Antigua and Barbuda’s legislative branch.

    Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, the country’s highest ceremonial official, emphasized that Strann-Peters’ appointment carries far broader national weight than a single individual’s career advancement. With her swearing-in complete, the count of women serving in the nation’s Senate has climbed to six, marking a notable jump in female representation in the upper parliamentary chamber.

    When combined with the two women already holding seats in the Lower House, women now occupy eight of the 3 total seats in Antigua and Barbuda’s national Parliament — one of the highest shares of female legislative representation the country has ever seen in its modern history.

    Sir Rodney characterized this growing gender balance as both a meaningful milestone and an encouraging sign for the country’s democratic development. He stressed that expanding women’s participation in public governance does more than just improve representation — it also strengthens institutional effectiveness and brings a wider range of lived experiences and perspectives to critical national policy decisions.

    Beyond legislative impacts, Sir Rodney noted that the milestone sends a resounding message to young women and girls across Antigua and Barbuda: positions of leadership, public service, and national influence are accessible to anyone willing to serve with unwavering integrity and a commitment to excellence.

    During the ceremony, Strann-Peters completed three updated constitutional oaths: the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath of Office, and the Oath of Secrecy. Senior officials explained that the inclusion of these updated oaths underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s longstanding commitment to its constitutional independence and the core principle of accountability for all public office holders.

  • Senator Joel Rayne Sworn In as Parliamentary Secretary

    Senator Joel Rayne Sworn In as Parliamentary Secretary

    In a rapid progression of political responsibility that has drawn attention across Antigua and Barbuda, newly minted Senator Joel Anderson Rayne took the oath of office as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Finance, Corporate Governance and Public Private Partnerships on Wednesday. The formal swearing-in ceremony was hosted at Government House, just days after Rayne’s initial appointment to the country’s upper legislative chamber, marking an expanded mandate for public service.

    Governor General Sir Rodney Williams led the ceremony and emphasized that the early promotion of Rayne to this junior ministerial post signals the administration’s strong trust in the new appointee’s ability and dedication to delivering for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizens. Barely one week after his Senate appointment on May 8, Rayne now takes on a broad portfolio of responsibilities, ranging from supporting core ministerial administrative work to coordinating parliamentary engagement and streamlining day-to-day government operations.

    Addressing gathered attendees, which included sitting cabinet ministers, fellow senators, senior public officials, and members of Rayne’s family, Sir Rodney laid out the high expectations for the role, noting that it demands consistent discipline, unwavering dedication, and a consistent commitment to diligent public service. “Before even taking his seat for the first official sitting of the Senate, he has already been entrusted with this additional critical duty and a broader scope of service to the people of our nation,” the Governor General stated.

    A notable constitutional shift accompanied Wednesday’s ceremony, one that officials have framed as a meaningful step toward aligning oaths of office with national sovereignty. The updated constitutional oath administered to Rayne now requires allegiance to the Constitution and laws of Antigua and Barbuda, replacing the longstanding requirement to pledge allegiance to the British monarchy. This adjustment marks a quiet but significant milestone in the country’s constitutional evolution, underscoring the ceremony’s broader significance beyond a single political appointment.

  • Minister Usher Reviews Hurricane Preparedness with NEMO

    Minister Usher Reviews Hurricane Preparedness with NEMO

    With less than two months remaining before the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially kicks off on June 1, Belize is moving full steam ahead to shore up its disaster readiness capabilities, led by top government officials and the nation’s emergency management authority. On a recent inspection tour, Henry Charles Usher, the country’s Minister of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, traveled to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) headquarters in the capital city of Belmopan to conduct a first-hand review of the nation’s preparedness standing.

    During his visit, Minister Usher held in-depth working sessions with Daniel Mendez, NEMO’s National Emergency Coordinator, alongside the entire NEMO technical team. The closed-door talks centered on two core priorities: refining existing national readiness plans for the six-month storm season, and mapping out optimized response protocols that would enable rapid, coordinated action in the event a tropical cyclone or hurricane makes landfall in Belize.

    NEMO officials presented the latest progress updates on a slate of ongoing preparedness initiatives, which range from updating inter-agency emergency response blueprints to strengthening cross-stakeholder coordination frameworks. Participants also used the meeting to address gaps in current operations, with a particular focus on improving public communication channels and streamlining emergency protocols across every regional and local jurisdiction in the country.

    One key initiative highlighted during the briefing is the ongoing update to the national hurricane shelter registry. Working hand-in-hand with local municipal authorities and non-government partners, NEMO has been verifying shelter locations and capacity to build an accurate, up-to-date list for public distribution. In the coming weeks, the inter-agency Shelter Repair Committee will convene for its pre-season inspection tour, where teams will assess every registered shelter facility to flag structures requiring urgent repairs or structural upgrades ahead of the season’s mid-August to October peak, when the majority of Atlantic storms typically develop.

    Beyond shelter preparations, cross-cutting needs assessments are currently underway at both the national and district levels to ensure all emergency stockpiles, heavy response equipment, and critical resources are accounted for, properly maintained, and positioned for rapid deployment when needed. Any gaps identified through these assessments will be addressed in the coming weeks to avoid shortfalls during a crisis.

    Following the briefing, Minister Usher emphasized that proactive preparedness, seamless inter-agency coordination, and widespread public awareness are the three most critical pillars for reducing the loss of life and damage caused by hurricanes and other extreme weather events. He extended formal commendation to the NEMO team for their consistent, rigorous work ahead of the season, and reaffirmed the Belizean government’s full financial and policy commitment to supporting disaster risk reduction and preparedness initiatives across the country.

    As final preparations continue, both NEMO and the Ministry of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management are issuing a public call to action for all Belizean residents. Officials are urging households to review and update their personal family emergency plans, monitor official weather and emergency updates from trusted sources, and complete all personal preparedness steps well in advance of the season’s June 1 start, rather than waiting for a storm to approach the country’s coast.

  • Costume Island Antigua Thanks Police and Public After Recovery of Stolen Items

    Costume Island Antigua Thanks Police and Public After Recovery of Stolen Items

    Following the successful recovery of the vast majority of property stolen in a recent theft incident on its premises, the management team of Costume Island Antigua has issued a public statement of gratitude to both the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and local community members.

    In an official update distributed across social media and local online platforms, resort leaders emphasized that the breakthrough in the case would not have been possible without coordinated cross-group collaboration. They framed the entire recovery operation as a striking example of what can be achieved when law enforcement and ordinary residents work toward a shared goal, calling the process “truly a joint effort”.

    Three officers in particular received special public recognition for their tireless work on the investigation: Senior Sergeant Benjamin, Sergeant Brown, and Corporal Massiah. Management highlighted their attention to detail, persistent investigative work, and commitment to resolving the case quickly.

    Beyond law enforcement, the management also extended sincere thanks to ordinary members of the public who came forward to share what officials described as “credible information”. That critical tip, the team confirmed, directly enabled investigators to take the alleged perpetrator into custody. Following the arrest, the suspect has been remanded to prison pending further legal proceedings. The successful resolution of the incident has been widely celebrated as a win for community cooperation in Antigua.

  • Belize’s Campaign Finance Reform Is Still MIA and Election Season Is Already Here

    Belize’s Campaign Finance Reform Is Still MIA and Election Season Is Already Here

    As Belize enters the final stretch of preparation for upcoming municipal elections, a long-deferred and contentious policy issue has returned to the national spotlight, sparked by a small, targeted campaign gesture from a local opposition politician. In early May 2026, United Democratic Party (UDP) caretaker Edward Broaster rolled out a $2 gas subsidy for local constituents, a move that appeared routine on its surface but quickly reignited long-simmering public debate over a gaping hole in Belize’s election regulation framework: the complete lack of mandatory campaign finance disclosure rules.

    With less than 10 months remaining before voters head to the polls, the status of campaign finance transparency in Belize remains identical to what it was ahead of the 2020 general election: there is no legal requirement for political candidates or parties to disclose who is funding their campaigns, leaving voters with no insight into the financial backers shaping election outcomes.

    The promise of sweeping campaign finance reform is not a new talking point for the current ruling People’s United Party (PUP). Long before the PUP won control of government, when current Prime Minister John Briceño served as opposition leader, he laid out a clear four-part framework for what the promised reform legislation would include. Briceño outlined that the bill would first establish formal legal definitions and universal operational standards for registered political parties. Second, it would settle the core question of what funding model is allowed for election campaigns, with three frameworks — strictly private funding, strictly public funding, and a mixed public-private model — all under consideration, alongside new rules to restrict the types of donations that parties can accept.

    When the PUP took power, reform advocates initially saw tangible momentum toward turning that promise into law. By May 2021, Briceño publicly pledged that the full reform legislation would be passed before the end of the year, with formal support already secured from two of the country’s most influential non-governmental bodies: the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC). The BCCI even took the extraordinary step of drafting its own full proposed bill and presented the text to the public, in a push to pressure the government to move forward. Then-BCCI President Marcelo Blake explained at the time that the group’s goal was to outline the key components of meaningful reform for media and the public, then collaborate with the Briceño administration to turn the draft into enforceable law.

    The NTUC, the country’s leading union federation, also threw its full institutional weight behind the reform push, with its leadership making clear the high stakes of closing the campaign finance transparency gap. NTUC President Ella Waight argued that the current anonymous system opens the door to persistent corruption, a particularly unacceptable outcome in a small country with limited public resources. Waight warned that without donation limits and disclosure rules, wealthy individuals, large corporations and powerful business interests can fund major parties during election cycles, then expect favorable policies and favors in return after candidates take office, leaving public resources misallocated to reward donors rather than serve the broader public.

    Five years after that high-profile push, that clear warning has not resulted any tangible policy change. Years of public consultations, multiple draft proposals, and repeated public promises from political leaders have failed to produce a single enforceable campaign finance reform law on the books. Political critics across the spectrum argue that the lack of progress is no accident: both of Belize’s major ruling parties benefit from the current opaque system, which allows them to keep their donors hidden and their campaign spending unaccountable to voters, giving them little incentive to alter the status quo ahead of the 2026 vote.

  • ‘Love SVG’ targets 100 projects to upgrade tourism product by November

    ‘Love SVG’ targets 100 projects to upgrade tourism product by November

    On May 14, 2026, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development Kishore Shallow made a key policy announcement during a press briefing held in Villa: the island nation is rolling out a six-month nationwide tourism enhancement initiative dubbed “Love St. Vincent and the Grenadines” (Love SVG), with the ambitious goal of delivering at least 100 priority infrastructure and service improvement projects ahead of the 2026/27 tourism season kicking off this November.

    Unlike fragmented, agency-specific tourism upgrades that the country has rolled out in the past, this new campaign is built on a cross-sector collaboration model that brings together government departments, statutory bodies, private industry stakeholders and local communities. Shallow emphasized that the six-month timeline was deliberately scheduled to align with the tourism off-season, allowing the country to complete upgrades without disrupting visitor experiences, and wrapping up all work just as the high season gets underway.

    At its core, the initiative aims to upgrade tourism-related facilities and services across both the main island of St. Vincent and the smaller Grenadines islands. Shallow shared that the tourism ministry and its partner agencies have already shortlisted more than 120 candidate projects, which will be narrowed down to a final, achievable list of exactly 100 projects that will run from the announcement date through the end of October 2026. Shallow noted that the targeted number of 100 was chosen intentionally to keep the initiative focused and deliverable, rather than overextending on unfeasible commitments.

    Projects cover a wide spectrum of scales and needs, ranging from small, high-impact basic amenity upgrades to large-scale infrastructure overhauls. To address common visitor complaints, the campaign will prioritize adding waste disposal bins at popular tourist sites, increasing on-site staffing for public facilities, and delivering customer service training for frontline tourism workers. Long-stalled high-profile projects will also be prioritized for completion, including the long-overdue renovation of Fort Charlotte — a major heritage attraction that has been closed to the public since 2023. Additional planned upgrades include improvements to the Dark View Falls recreational area and the little-known Pavement waterfall site on the windward coast, with a number of new projects also earmarked for popular tourism destinations across the Grenadines.

    Permanent Secretary Tamira Browne framed the Love SVG campaign as a pivotal shift from long-term development vision to tangible on-the-ground action. She described the initiative not as a standalone marketing slogan, but as an integrated component of the country’s broader national development strategy, calling for a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” commitment to the campaign’s success.

    To ensure broad participation, a structured project submission and reporting framework has been created for all participating sectors. Starting May 15, 2026, all line ministries and state agencies will receive a simplified project submission form, which will also be distributed to private sector businesses and community organizations through local media outlets. Browne explained that projects of all sizes are eligible: from micro-projects such as installing new public recycling bins across the islands to large-scale engineering works focused on beautifying public spaces.

    All participating sectors are being given clear participation targets: every government ministry and statutory body is expected to deliver a minimum of five projects aligned with the campaign’s core goals of boosting sustainable recycling, cutting litter, improving nationwide cleanliness, beautifying public spaces, and preparing the country for the upcoming high tourist season. Private sector entities are also invited to meet similar targets, or opt to adopt and upgrade specific tourist sites under the programme.

    The campaign organizes all proposed projects into five core priority categories: natural attractions and eco-tourism sites, heritage and cultural landmarks, transport and access infrastructure, hospitality service quality upgrades, and community-focused and community-led tourism initiatives.

    Shallow outlined the phased timeline for the initiative: between May and June 2026, the project management team will finalize the 100 selected projects and secure all required funding and resources to deliver the work. The second phase will consist of full-scale execution of all projects simultaneously. Shallow highlighted a secondary, equally important benefit of the large-scale programme: widespread job creation. With hundreds of upgrade projects running across the country, hundreds of local workers will be hired to support the work, injecting immediate economic stimulus into local communities. Shallow confirmed that the overall investment in the campaign will total millions of dollars, with all final work wrapping up in October 2026 to leave the country fully prepared to welcome visitors for the new 2026/27 tourism season.

  • Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company marks 55th anniversary with ‘Rhythms of Our Roots’ production

    Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company marks 55th anniversary with ‘Rhythms of Our Roots’ production

    This May, one of Dominica’s longest-running cultural institutions is stepping into the spotlight to celebrate five and a half decades of artistic legacy. The Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company, a cornerstone of Dominica’s performing arts scene since its founding, is bringing its decades-long journey to the stage with a special anniversary production titled ‘RHYTHMS OF OUR ROOTS’, a showcase that honors the company’s origins, evolution, and enduring impact on local Caribbean culture.

    Far from a single-genre performance, the anniversary show weaves together a diverse tapestry of movement and sound to reflect the company’s deep connection to both native heritage and global cultural exchange. Audiences can expect dynamic choreography spanning multiple styles, from soul-stirring gospel dance and vibrant Afro-beats to beloved local bouyon and kadanse traditions, with a dash of international flair from salsa. To add an authentic, immersive layer to the experience, the production will feature live drumming from the renowned Paix Bouche drumming group, alongside vocal performances from some of Dominica’s most popular contemporary artists: Janae Jackson, AbiYah Yisrael, Phael Lander, and Nyel Grove, according to an official press release from the company.

    What makes the production particularly meaningful is the coming together of the Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company’s extended artistic family. Both current senior and junior company members will share the stage with alumni dancers who contributed to the group’s legacy over the decades. Most of the evening’s pieces were choreographed by Raymond Lawrence, the company’s long-serving Artistic Director, with additional creative work from Jaylen Olivacce, Dorelle Diolen, and other senior company members.

    In comments ahead of the show, Lawrence highlighted the company’s deep roots in Dominican Creole dance heritage, and expressed gratitude for the 55 years of opportunities the group has received. Beyond stage productions, Waitukubuli has long played an active role in the local community, organizing popular teenage pageants and completing regional performance tours that have carried Dominican culture across the Caribbean.

    Over its 55-year history, the company has earned widespread recognition for its contributions to the arts, collecting some of the region’s top cultural awards. These honors include the prestigious Golden Drum Award, which the group received in 2003, and back-to-back wins of the Edward Oliver Leblanc Trophy in 1984 and 1985. Beyond award shelves, the company has built a far-reaching performance resume, headlining major cultural festivals across Dominica and touring across 12 Caribbean nations and territories: Trinidad, Barbados, Antigua, Montserrat, St. Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Martin.

    Lawrence extended his gratitude beyond current and former company members, acknowledging the core sponsors that have made the anniversary production and the group’s ongoing work possible. Key supporters include the Dominica Lotteries Commission, OECS PEARL, ICWI, Reuben’s Bakery, the National Bank of Dominica, Republic Bank, the AID Bank, and Luxurious Loos.

    The company is now encouraging all members of the public to attend the celebratory production and support the preservation of Dominican cultural arts. ‘RHYTHMS OF OUR ROOTS’ will run for two weekends at Dominica’s St. Gerard’s Hall, with shows scheduled for 8:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and 6:00 PM on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Ticketing options are structured to welcome the whole community: tickets for the Saturday evening performance are priced at $40 per person, while Sunday’s matinee offers $40 adult tickets and discounted $20 tickets for children under 12. Tickets are available for advance purchase at Depex and Bulls Eye Pharmacy, and will also be sold at the door at St. Gerard’s Hall on both performance nights.