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  • Haile Selassie Celebration Returns Saturday Night

    Haile Selassie Celebration Returns Saturday Night

    After months of anticipation, one of Belize’s most beloved cultural and musical gatherings is making its return to the capital this weekend. On Saturday night, the 134th annual Haile Selassie Earthstrong Night Celebration will bring together reggae enthusiasts, cultural practitioners, and entire communities for an evening rooted in shared identity, history, and collective unity, centered around the gathering’s core message of “One Love”.

    Long-time event organizer Ras Reuben emphasized that the annual celebration goes far beyond a simple night of live music. While great performances remain a central draw, the gathering is first and foremost a tribute to the legacy of Haile Selassie I, a figure considered a divine leader within Rastafarian culture, and an opportunity to reinforce the power of collective solidarity among Belizeans. “This is King Selassie’s Earth Day, his 134th Earthstrong, and we celebrate this every year,” Reuben explained in prepared remarks for the upcoming event.

    This year’s lineup features a diverse roster of talented local and regional acts, spanning live bands, DJs, and solo performers. Headlining the night will be Kenny Gladden and the New Creation Band, alongside sets from DJ Black, Brick City, and Jahlock. Additional performers include Ras Sherman, Ras Jalac, Bongo Farai, Reddadan, Unlimited, and Ras Indio, with many more artists set to make appearances throughout the evening. Reuben noted that these names only represent a portion of the talent slated to take the stage.

    The 2026 celebration will be hosted at BTL Park, running from 6:00 PM to midnight on Saturday. Organizers have designed the event to be fully family-friendly, encouraging attendees to bring children and extended family members to experience the full range of cultural activities on offer. Beyond live music, the gathering will feature a wide selection of traditional Belizean food and beverage vendors, giving attendees the chance to fully immerse themselves in local cultural traditions.

    Reuben extended a sincere note of gratitude to everyone who made the 2026 event possible, including community supporters, volunteers, and official sponsors whose contributions have kept this long-running annual tradition alive. “Blessed love,” Reuben said, inviting all members of the public to join the gathering for a night of reflection, celebration, and connection.

    This report is adapted from a transcribed evening television news broadcast, with original Kriol language statements rendered in standard spelling for clarity.

  • Ghanaian student gains first UWI Cave Hill’s BSc Preclinical Sciences degree

    Ghanaian student gains first UWI Cave Hill’s BSc Preclinical Sciences degree

    On a historic Friday at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, a new milestone was reached for both global medical education and bilateral ties between Barbados and Ghana, as Fafa Hanson, a young Ghanaian medical scholar, became the inaugural graduate of the joint Bachelor of Science in Preclinical Sciences programme. Upon completing her preclinical training at the Cave Hill campus, Hanson will return to Ghana to finish the remaining clinical phase of her medical degree, marking the first successful completion of the collaborative initiative between UWI Cave Hill and the University of Ghana.

    During a formal ceremony held in the Jacqueline Wade Conference Room of the Hilary McDonald Beckles Administration Complex, Hanson received her official academic pin and white medical coat, symbols that formally recognize her completion of the programme’s foundational preclinical stage. University leaders used the occasion to reflect on the far-reaching implications of both Hanson’s achievement and the cross-institutional partnership that made her studies possible.

    Dr. Damian Cohall, Dean of UWI Cave Hill’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, framed Hanson’s graduation as just the first of many success stories expected to emerge from the bilateral programme. In his remarks to the graduate, he encouraged her to embrace cutting-edge digital and artificial intelligence tools as supports for her future practice, while emphasizing that human-centric medical values will remain at the core of the profession. “AI and digital platforms will never replace the critical thinking and empathy that define good medicine,” Cohall noted. “These tools exist to assist us, not to take the place of the human connection that is at the heart of patient care.” He urged Hanson to center her career on improving community well-being and holding fast to empathetic care alongside her pursuit of academic excellence.

    Deputy Principal Professor Winston Moore echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unique weight of Hanson’s status as the programme’s pioneer. Unlike subsequent cohorts who will benefit from established guidance and past student insights, Hanson navigated an entirely uncharted academic path with no precedent to rely on. “Every challenge she overcame, every insight she gained, has directly shaped how this programme will be run for all future students,” Moore explained. Beyond the academic structure, Moore tied the partnership to UWI Cave Hill’s broader strategic goals of expanding its international footprint and contributing to Barbados’ economy. As a globally traded service, international higher education brings direct economic benefits through tuition fees and increased utilization of campus infrastructure, he noted, adding that Hanson’s choice to study at UWI Cave Hill over leading institutions in Accra, the United Kingdom, and North America speaks volumes about the campus’s growing international reputation.

    Moore also placed Hanson’s journey in a sweeping historical context, noting that for centuries, involuntary movement across the Atlantic connected West Africa and the Caribbean through the transatlantic slave trade. “Today, we see a young Ghanaian woman cross that same ocean of her own free will, to pursue education that will benefit both her home country and her host nation,” he said. “This is a small but meaningful correction to a centuries-long history of forced displacement.”

    Sandra Husbands, Barbados’ Minister of Technological and Vocational Training, described the ceremony as just the first step in a much broader vision of interconnectedness between Barbados and Ghana. Citing the proverb that small beginnings should never be dismissed, Husbands noted that Hanson’s graduation is the source of a growing partnership that will expand far beyond medical education. “Barbados is committed to deepening ties with Ghana across every sector: culture, trade, joint governance, and foreign policy, in addition to education and research,” she explained. The partnership aligns with Barbados’ broader commitment to equitable South-South cooperation, and could eventually lead to joint research initiatives focused on addressing chronic and infectious diseases that disproportionately impact communities of African descent around the world.

    Dr. Jeanese Badenock, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at UWI Cave Hill, congratulated Hanson on her achievement and recognized the years of collaborative work that went into building the programme from its inception. “We are incredibly proud of what we have built together, and even more proud of Fafa’s accomplishment as our first graduate,” she said, noting that the faculty is already preparing to welcome the next cohort of Ghanaian students to the programme.

    In an emotional closing address, Hanson reflected on the transformative impact of her time studying in Barbados, saying the experience pushed her to embrace new challenges and expand her own sense of what she could achieve. “Every obstacle I overcame revealed a new layer of strength I didn’t know I had,” she shared. “I used to shy away from unfamiliarity, but now I embrace it as an opportunity to grow beyond the limits I once set for myself.” She credited her faith and persistence for carrying her through the most challenging moments of the programme, noting that while hard work brings reward, timing and opportunity also play a critical role in every success story.

    As UWI leaders prepare to welcome future cohorts of Ghanaian students to the programme, Hanson’s graduation stands as a testament to the power of cross-border educational collaboration to transform individual lives, deepen historical reconciliation, and strengthen ties between nations of the Global South.

  • Wales gearing up for CFU Club Shield

    Wales gearing up for CFU Club Shield

    One of the most decorated clubs in Barbadian football, multiple-time Barbados Football Association Premier League title holders Weymouth Wales, has touched down in Trinidad and kicked off pre-tournament preparations ahead of the upcoming Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield. The Barbadian side enters this year’s competition hungry to outdo their 2025 run, which ended in a heartbreaking 3-2 final defeat to Dominican Republic side Moca FC at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium, leaving them with a second-place trophy.

    That runner-up finish still earned Weymouth Wales a spot in the prestigious CONCACAF Caribbean Cup later in the year, where the club turned in a solid performance: claiming two wins from four group-stage matches to secure third place in Group B. Now, with a new year of competition on the horizon, head coach Asquith Howell says the squad is targeting incremental improvement and bigger achievements in 2026.

    Speaking to reporters following the team’s first on-field training session in Trinidad, Howell outlined his side’s ambitions. “We’re here to go a little step further than what we did last year, so we’re looking to achieve even greater things,” the coach said. “I think most of the guys are healthy, and I think after settling we’ll be a little bit more focused in reference to doing the job that we came here to do.”

    Howell made clear the team’s immediate priority is securing a return trip to the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, a goal that first requires navigating through the CFU Club Shield group stage. “Our first mission is to go to the next step, which is the Caribbean Cup, so we need to qualify from this phase,” he explained. “We begin against the team from Aruba and from there on we will see how things go.”

  • DLP remembers Sir Garry as wreath laid at statue

    DLP remembers Sir Garry as wreath laid at statue

    As the island nation of Barbados prepares for next Wednesday’s State Funeral of the country’s most iconic sports figure, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) joined the growing wave of national tributes on Friday, gathering to lay a wreath at the statue of National Hero the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers outside Kensington Oval.

    Surrounded by members of the party’s executive committee, DLP Acting President Stephen Lashley addressed reporters after the brief, solemn ceremony, framing the wreath-laying as a meaningful public recognition of a legacy that extends far beyond the boundaries of international cricket.

    Sir Garfield Sobers, the universally acclaimed legendary West Indian cricketer, passed away recently, triggering an outpouring of grief and respect from cricket fans, political leaders and sporting bodies across the globe. His decades-long, record-breaking career redefined the sport of cricket and cemented Barbados’ reputation as a cradle of world-class cricketing talent on the international stage.

    Speaking to media on site, Lashley emphasized that the DLP’s tribute marked the party’s shared grief over a loss that resonates globally. “Sir Garfield Sobers has been an icon in the cricketing world. He has represented Barbados and the West Indies in an outstanding manner,” Lashley told reporters. “This is a tremendous loss, not only for us here in Barbados but across the world. We felt that it was our duty in the Democratic Labour Party to physically come here and demonstrate the fact that we, too, feel a tremendous part of that loss.”

    He also praised the countless individuals and community organizations that have stepped forward to honor the cricketer in the days since his passing, noting that this widespread, cross-sector outpouring of respect reflects the extraordinary regard in which Sobers was held at home and across the world.

    Beyond the period of national mourning, Lashley stressed that Sobers’ impact should serve as a lasting guiding light for young Barbadians. “We believe that Sir Garry’s memory will continue,” he said. “All that he stood for will continue to be a part of not only the folklore of Barbados, but certainly should be celebrated in so many ways.”

    Lashley pointed out that both the legendary athlete’s unprecedented career achievements and his exemplary personal conduct offer a powerful blueprint for young people across the country. “There are so many parts of his career that can be emulated, and we certainly hope that not only in cricket but the outstanding way in which he carried himself can be a model for our schoolchildren in particular and certainly a model for our nation.”

    Concluding his remarks, Lashley called it a profound privilege to lead the DLP’s tribute to one of Barbados’ most beloved and accomplished public figures. “We’re very honoured to be here this morning and certainly it’s been an honour for me, as Acting President of the Democratic Labour Party, to join with my comrades in laying this wreath in honour of the outstanding service of Sir Garfield Sobers.”

  • Blind chess programme aims for world stage

    Blind chess programme aims for world stage

    Barbados is breaking new ground in accessible sports with a landmark national initiative designed to expand recreational opportunities for blind and visually impaired community members, paving the way for competitive participation both locally and on the global stage. The Barbados Chess Federation (BCF), in partnership with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs and the National United Society of the Blind (NUSB), has officially received specialized adaptive chess equipment from the International Chess Federation (FIDE), enabling the island nation to host its first-ever official national championship for visually impaired chess players.

    During a formal handover ceremony held Friday, the BCF presented 10 custom braille chess sets and five adaptive chess clocks to NUSB, gear tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of players with limited or no vision. BCF President Allan Herbert explained that the request for specialized equipment grew out of introductory training sessions launched with visually impaired participants last year. Standard chess gear designed for fully sighted players simply does not work for those with visual disabilities, Herbert noted, prompting the federation to reach out to FIDE for support. The global governing body responded with a grant that covered the cost of the adaptive equipment.

    With the custom gear now in hand, visually impaired players can transition from remote online training to in-person over-the-board competition for the first time in Barbados. “The core goal of this project from the start was to secure the proper tools to make competitive, in-person chess accessible,” Herbert said. “Now that we have that equipment, we can move forward with building structured, traditional competitive play for this community.”

    A new round of community training is scheduled to kick off next month, designed to recruit and train new participants from the visually impaired community. The training period will conclude later this year with the historic first national championship for visually impaired chess players, a milestone for inclusive sports on the island. Looking ahead to the long term, the BCF has set an ambitious target: to develop a competitive national team that can represent Barbados at the FIDE World Team Championship for Persons with Disabilities within the next two to four years, where the tournament is held every two years. “We are starting from an early, developing stage,” Herbert explained. “But we are confident that in the coming years, we will have a team ready to compete at the international level.”

    Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde praised the initiative, framing it as a reflection of the Barbadian government’s ongoing commitment to advancing equal opportunity for people living with disabilities across all sectors of society. “Our ministry’s work must be balanced to ensure that people with disabilities get the same access to opportunities as every other member of our community,” Forde said. “Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a value we want every Barbadian to live by, and this program embodies that.”

    Forde emphasized that meaningful partnership for disability inclusion requires tangible action, not just empty rhetoric at international forums. “Partnership has to mean real opportunities for people with disabilities here at home,” he said. The minister also announced plans to support the future hosting of an international blind chess tournament in Barbados, expanding the impact of the initiative beyond national borders. “Under my watch, we will fulfill our mandate to guarantee equal opportunity for people living with disabilities,” Forde added. “Before long, we will welcome competitors from across the region and beyond for an international blind chess tournament right here in Barbados, to showcase the incredible talent in our community.”

    NUSB President Ralbert Ashton noted that the programme opens a critical new avenue for visually impaired Barbadians to demonstrate their skills and contribute to national life. “We have a saying: ‘There’s life after blindness,’” Ashton said. “We already saw the incredible talent our community has shown in the national Calypso competition, and our members excel in so many different fields. Our community has so much to give back to Barbados — all we need is the opportunity to showcase that. This collaboration between the BCF, the Social Empowerment Agency and NUSB gives us exactly that chance, and helps us continue advocating for full inclusion for people with disabilities.”

    Kerryann Ifill, immediate past president of NUSB, recalled that the effort began when the organization reached out to the BCF to explore accessible chess programming, and was met with immediate enthusiasm — a welcome change from the pushback disability advocates often encounter. “When you work in this space, you get used to people saying no, saying they don’t know if it will work,” Ifill said. “It was so refreshing to have the BCF say yes immediately, that they were ready to make this happen.”

    Ifill also singled out chess coach Dirk Austin for praise, noting that he volunteered his time to learn how to work with blind players and has been a consistent supporter of the programme. “Dirk had never worked with blind chess players before, but he stepped up without hesitation,” Ifill said. “He’s always available to encourage our players and help the programme grow.”

    Currently, participants train on an accessible online chess platform that offers a dedicated blind mode, which allows visually impaired players to compete against sighted opponents seamlessly, often without their opponents even noticing their disability. “Once you enable blind mode, the platform adapts completely for screen readers, and you can just sit back and enjoy the game of chess,” Ifill explained. Now, with the new braille equipment, players will get the chance to test their skills in person for the first time, building toward the historic national championship later this year.

  • Sandy Lane charity, uniform maker partner to put kids in fresh school garb

    Sandy Lane charity, uniform maker partner to put kids in fresh school garb

    Against a backdrop of soaring living costs that have stretched household budgets thin, the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust has rolled out an expanded back-to-school support initiative to help low-income families prepare their children for the upcoming academic term, backed by a $100,000 investment in school uniforms and a brand-new program that will deliver 500 pairs of school shoes to children in need. However, retail partner Uniform Factory Outlet has called on the government to step up and amplify the impact of the donation, urging the finance minister to waive value-added tax (VAT) on the contribution that would free up an extra $15,000 to put toward more school supplies for struggling families.

    Pippa Challis, a trustee for the organization, explained that the trust chose to increase its investment in this year’s program after observing growing financial strain on parents across the country. Many households have been left unable to cover the unexpected, substantial cost of outfitting children for the new school year amid stagnant wage growth and skyrocketing inflation. “This year we have decided to continue the support to those organisations I’ve mentioned previously, but also to add a little bit more into the pot,” Challis said during the donation handover ceremony. “I think that’s because it’s needed, greatly needed. The cost of living has gone up, wages haven’t grown significantly, but I think the reality is, and we have to be honest with ourselves, people live hand to mouth.”

    Challis added that while many families are just barely able to cover core monthly expenses like rent and groceries, sudden costs for school supplies push budgets beyond breaking point. Uniform costs alone can run anywhere from $300 to $500 per child, a sum that is out of reach for many low-income households even when they are managing to meet other basic needs. “The big problem comes these days when all of a sudden you have the uniforms. And that uniform bill comes to $300, $400, $500. Regardless of your number of children, you’ve obviously got to find more money,” she noted.

    Unlike open, unregulated distribution, the assistance will be allocated via a pre-vetted list of eligible families compiled in partnership with local community organizations. Beneficiaries will receive store credit to redeem for uniforms through Uniform Factory Outlet, alongside the new school shoes and other targeted support. “They have a list of families. I’m afraid it’s not a free-for-all. There is a pre-agreed list of families and children’s names and they will be working with us hand in hand with that list and within our parameters,” Challis explained.

    At its core, the program is designed to give children the confidence to start the school year on equal footing with their peers, Challis emphasized. When students have properly fitting, new uniforms and supplies, they do not stand out from their classmates and can focus on learning from day one. “For me, it’s about getting the children off to school with a good start. You walk into school with a good uniform on, you look like everybody else, you feel like everybody else, and you have the confidence to start the new term afresh,” she said.

    Beyond uniforms and shoes, the expanded program includes additional support through partnerships with local retailers, which will help families access discounted or free textbooks, stationery, and other essential back-to-school supplies. The 500 pairs of school shoes included in this year’s initiative were sourced directly from the United Kingdom to expand the scope of assistance beyond the trust’s traditional offerings.

    Dean Straker, director of Uniform Factory Outlet, echoed Challis’s comments on the mission of the program, noting that a proper uniform does far more than meet school dress code requirements – it builds students’ self-esteem from their first day back. He praised the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust for its substantial $100,000 contribution, which represents a major investment in local children’s education, but stressed that a VAT exemption would unlock far more impact. Without the exemption, $15,000 of the donation will go toward paying tax to the government rather than buying more supplies for children in need.

    “One hundred thousand dollars is no little contribution and it’s a great example of what people can do,” Straker said. “What I would like to beg the Minister of Finance for is that he will make that cheque VAT exempt so that we do not pay $15 000 out in VAT to government. I really hope that we will get a break with that so that we can give more uniforms to more children, and that’s what it’s all about.”

    Straker closed by thanking the trust for its partnership, reaffirming the shared goal of helping every child start the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed.

  • Chambers advances at CAC Games

    Chambers advances at CAC Games

    The Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, hosted in the Dominican Republic, delivered a day of mixed results for Team Barbados on Friday, with standout young tennis player Hannah Chambers stepping into the spotlight as the island nation’s only multiple winner across all contested events.

    Chambers delivered two gritty performances to claim two victories over the day, first advancing through the women’s singles draw with a hard-fought three-set win over El Salvador’s Gabriella Tevez. After claiming the opening set 6-3, the Barbadian dropped the second frame 3-6 as Tevez found her rhythm on the hard court. But Chambers dug deep in the decisive third set, adjusting her serve placement and closing out key points to secure a 6-4 win and a spot in the tournament’s second round.

    Her compatriot Gabrielle Leslie suffered an early exit in women’s singles, falling 6-3 6-1 to Dominican home crowd favorite Ana Zamburek in the round of 32. But Leslie bounced back quickly to join Chambers in the women’s doubles draw, where the pair dominated their Venezuelan opponents to take a straight-sets 6-4, 6-1 win and advance to the next round of competition.

    Other Barbadian tennis competitors were not as fortunate on the day. Kaipo Marshall was eliminated in the first round of men’s singles after a tightly contested three-set battle against Jamaica’s Nicholas Gore, with the final scoreline reading 6-4, 2-6, 5-7. El Salvador’s Caesar Cruz also claimed a straight-sets win over Barbados’ Stephen Slocombe, knocking Slocombe out of the singles draw with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

    Away from the tennis courts, Barbados’ other competitors faced their own early-round challenges. Archer Javier Jordan, the first Barbadian athlete to compete on Friday, finished 20th out of 29 entrants in the opening round of the men’s individual compound event.

    In team badminton action on day two of group play, El Salvador claimed a 4-1 win over the Barbadian side. The only bright spot for the Caribbean nation came from the doubles pairing of Kennie King and Shai Martin, who pulled out a three-set win over their opponents 21-17, 18-21, 21-17. All other singles and doubles matchups on the day fell to El Salvador. The result follows a rocky start to group play for Barbados: after opening the tournament with a 4-1 loss to Venezuela on Thursday, the Barbadian quartet suffered a 5-0 blanking at the hands of Guatemala in their second group match.

  • OECS and Morocco explore new opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation

    OECS and Morocco explore new opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation

    In a major step forward for South-South cooperation, representatives from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Kingdom of Morocco have concluded a week of targeted economic discussions, paving the way for strengthened bilateral trade, investment, and cross-sector collaboration across two geographically distinct regions.

    Held from June 22 to 26, 2026, the OECS-Morocco Economic Promotion Week was hosted and organized by Morocco’s Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), with institutional support from the OECS Commission. The initiative was designed to unlock untapped collaborative opportunities between Morocco and the 11-member OECS bloc, aligning with regional development priorities and advancing projects that promise tangible social and economic benefits for communities across the Eastern Caribbean. Six OECS member states took part in the talks: the Commonwealth of Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

    The delegations brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, spanning government economic and trade ministries, national investment promotion agencies, national chambers of commerce, and private sector industry groups. Participating institutions included the Invest Dominica Authority, the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority, Grenada Investment Development Corporation, Nevis Investment Promotion Agency, Invest Saint Lucia, Invest SVG, Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Ministry of International Trade and Ministry of Economic Development and Investment, the Private Sector Unit of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce. The delegation also included senior representatives from the OECS Commission, the OECS Business Council, and officials from the Eastern Caribbean States Embassies based in Morocco.

    His Excellency Ian Queeley, Ambassador and Head of Mission of the Eastern Caribbean States Embassies to Morocco, emphasized that the week-long engagement reinforced the deep alignment between both regions on goals for shared, sustainable development. “This Economic Promotion Week has reaffirmed that the relationship between the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the Kingdom of Morocco is one built not only on friendship, but on shared aspirations for sustainable economic growth, innovation, investment, and South-South cooperation,” Queeley said. “Through productive dialogue and meaningful exchanges, we have showcased the immense opportunities that exist between our regions and laid the foundation for stronger commercial partnerships.”

    Queeley added that the OECS remains dedicated to advancing deepened economic diplomacy, linking business owners, investors, and public institutions from the Eastern Caribbean with strategic Moroccan partners. “We look forward to translating the momentum generated this week into tangible outcomes that create jobs, expand trade, and promote inclusive prosperity for the peoples of both the Eastern Caribbean and Morocco,” he said.

    During the week of engagement, participating delegates held closed-door and open discussions with Moroccan public and private sector leaders across 12 high-priority sectors, including agriculture, agro-processing, food security, renewable energy, fisheries, the blue economy, financial services, port infrastructure development, maritime trade, air transport connectivity, and tourism. Talks also centered on collaborative solutions to shared challenges, including building greater agricultural resilience to climate shocks, expanding development of geothermal and solar energy projects, strengthening bilateral tourism links, and deepening broader economic integration between the Caribbean and African continents.

    Delegates also explored a range of structural collaborative frameworks, including closer correspondent banking relationships, expanded direct business-to-business networking and partnerships, the potential establishment of a permanent OECS–Morocco Business Council, and the benefits of Moroccan investment access through Casablanca Finance City, one of Africa’s leading financial hubs. Opportunities for Moroccan direct investment in key OECS priority development sectors were also a key topic of conversation.

    Over the course of the event, delegates held formal meetings with more than a dozen leading Moroccan institutions, including AMCI, the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investments and Exports, Casablanca Finance City, the Professional Group of Banks of Morocco, OCP Africa, the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, the Regional Council of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, the Regional Investment Centre, and the Port of Dakhla.

    A scheduled site visit to Dakhla allowed delegates to see first-hand Morocco’s ambitious southern regional development strategy, and examine the growing role of the Dakhla Atlantic Port in boosting transatlantic trade between Africa, the Americas, and Europe. The visit also identified new opportunities for collaboration on maritime infrastructure development and ocean economy cooperation between Morocco and OECS member states.

    Following the conclusion of Economic Promotion Week, the Eastern Caribbean States Embassies in Morocco issued a statement praising the high level of engagement from both Moroccan institutional stakeholders and OECS delegations. The statement noted that the productive talks have generated significant positive momentum that will now be carried forward into targeted follow-up initiatives and formal collaborative projects in the coming months.

  • Minister of Health and Ministry Staff Pay Final Respects to Former Colleague, Conie Williams

    Minister of Health and Ministry Staff Pay Final Respects to Former Colleague, Conie Williams

    A moving funeral service was held this week to celebrate the life of Conie Williams, a former longtime employee of the Ministry of Health, where top ministry leaders, current staff, family, and friends gathered to pay their final respects.

    Michael Joseph, who holds the combined portfolio of Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, alongside Stacey Gregg-Paige, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, led senior officials in attendance at the service, joining the bereaved family and close friends of Williams to mourn her passing.

    Dozens of current ministry employees turned out for the ceremony to demonstrate collective solidarity with the grieving family, and to reflect on the decades of committed work Williams contributed to the ministry during her tenure. Many attendees shared personal anecdotes of working alongside her, noting the positive, lasting impression she left on every team member who had the opportunity to collaborate with her.

    In a meaningful gesture during the service, the ministry’s staff presented a carefully prepared, heartfelt tribute to honor their former colleague. The tribute highlighted Williams’ professional contributions to the ministry’s work, as well as the warm, memorable moments she shared with coworkers throughout her career, centering the celebration of her life rather than just mourning her loss.

    Following the tribute, Minister Joseph and Permanent Secretary Gregg-Paige offered their personal and official sincere condolences to Williams’ family and all of her loved ones. The pair expressed their hope that the family would find the strength, comfort, and inner peace needed to navigate this period of profound grief.

    Across the ministry, staff members continue to hold Williams’ legacy close, remembering her dedication and warm character. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

  • MV Barima’s confirmed death toll now 73, 30 unaccounted for

    MV Barima’s confirmed death toll now 73, 30 unaccounted for

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana – July 24, 2026 – Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips has delivered an updated briefing on the ongoing search and recovery operations following the capsizing of the passenger vessel MV Barima off the country’s Essequibo Coast, confirming that 73 bodies have been recovered as of Friday evening.

    Of the 73 recovered remains, 69 have received formal positive identification, Phillips told reporters. Based on the government’s current working count of 179 total passengers and crew on board the vessel at the time of the incident, 30 people remain unaccounted for nearly a week after the disaster.

    To accelerate the search for missing persons, authorities have expanded the operational search area by an additional 32 square miles, stretching from the western town of Waini eastward to Adventure along the Essequibo Coast. Phillips confirmed that multiple response vessels are currently on standby to roll the capsized MV Barima back to an upright position, a step that recovery teams believe will allow them to access more trapped remains inside the ship’s hull.

    “These operations will continue for as long as necessary to ensure that every possible effort is made to account for those affected, with utmost care, dignity, and respect,” Phillips said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to leaving no family without closure.

    As of the latest update, 63 recovered bodies have already been released to next of kin, while an additional six remains have been transferred to their home communities for burial. Twenty-two funerals have already been held for victims of the incident.

    A total of three aircraft and 14 marine vessels are currently deployed to support the large-scale search and recovery mission, according to the Prime Minister. When pressed for clarity on how many recovered victims and survivors match the official published manifest of 116 passengers and 16 crew, Phillips declined to provide an immediate breakdown.

    Questions over passenger overloading have emerged in the wake of the disaster, after initial reports cited a maximum passenger capacity of 150 people. Responding to these claims, Maritime Administration (MARAD) Director-General Stephen Thomas clarified that the MV Barima was officially certified to carry up to 394 passengers and 120 tonnes of cargo.

    Phillips also addressed widespread unconfirmed reports that the vessel’s captain issued an urgent Mayday distress call and instructed passengers to don life jackets before the ship capsized. “We have no such record” of this communication taking place, the Prime Minister stated.

    All details surrounding the cause and sequence of the incident will be investigated by an independent commission of inquiry, Phillips confirmed. A final decision on whether opposition parties will be invited to participate in the inquiry process rests with President Irfaan Ali and the national cabinet.