Carib Scope

标签： Grenada

格林纳达

  • Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announces demission of office by Director Lisa Taylor, Deputy Chairman

    Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announces demission of office by Director Lisa Taylor, Deputy Chairman

    After 16 years of dedicated service to the institution, the Board of Directors of Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has confirmed that Deputy Chairman Lisa Taylor will step down from her position as a board director, effective September 30, 2026.

    Taylor first joined the bank’s board as a director in 2010, and rose to the position of Deputy Chairman in 2021. Throughout her 16-year tenure, she has been widely recognized for making significant, high-impact contributions to the bank’s corporate governance framework and the implementation of rigorous, prudent oversight practices. In her role as Deputy Chairman, she consistently provided robust strategic and operational support to the Board Chair, and was instrumental in strengthening the board’s overall leadership capacity and advancing sound, data-driven decision-making processes across all levels of governance.

    Beyond her executive responsibilities as Deputy Chairman, Taylor also chaired several key standing committees of the board, including the Risk and Compliance Committee and the Governance and Human Resources Committee. In these leadership roles, she brought deep expertise to board deliberations on critical organizational priorities, ranging from long-term strategic direction and enterprise risk management to regulatory compliance and ongoing governance refinement.

    Current Board Chair Darryl Brathwaite issued a formal statement acknowledging Taylor’s legacy of service, saying, “Lisa Taylor has served this bank with unwavering commitment and exceptional professionalism throughout her tenure, and the entire board is deeply grateful for every contribution she has made. On behalf of the board, senior management, all staff, and our shareholders, I extend our sincerest gratitude to Lisa, and we wish her nothing but success in all her future pursuits.”

    The bank has noted that the process to select a new director is already in its early stages, and an official announcement of the appointment will be made once all internal selection protocols and required regulatory approvals have been completed. The board reiterated its thanks to Taylor for her 16 years of exceptional, dedicated service to the organization, and expressed confidence that the foundations she helped build will support the bank’s continued growth and stability for years to come.

  • SoundLeap students put training into practice at Sound Fest

    SoundLeap students put training into practice at Sound Fest

    Sixteen aspiring live sound engineering professionals have wrapped up the first iteration of SoundLeap, a groundbreaking six-month hands-on training initiative based in Grenada, capping their 5.5 months of learning with a real-world test of their skills at the island’s Sound Fest on Saturday, September 26. Launched in mid-April of this year to fill a critical gap in local technical training for the entertainment industry, SoundLeap’s first cohort marked a major milestone for the program, which is already set to open its second intake in April 2027.

    The practical capstone event took place on the lush Le Phare Bleu lawn in Petite Calivigny, where students stepped into core technical roles across every stage of Sound Fest’s operations. From leading front-of-house audio engineering to managing stage monitoring systems and overseeing on-site stage technology, the cohort handled end-to-end technical preparation: they arrived on-site a full day early for Friday soundchecks, adjusted setups through performance day Saturday, and stayed after the final act to break down gear and restore the venue. For student Jeavid Neckles, the event offered a unique double challenge: he balanced technical duties alongside a performance slot playing guitar alongside Thamara “Song Bird” St Bernard-Neckles.

    What made the inaugural cohort particularly notable was its wide range of starting experience levels, reflecting SoundLeap’s mission to lift up new entrants while elevating existing professionals. Some participants already held informal roles working with local bands, church events, and small community productions, while others joined with almost no hands-on experience in audio work. Timon John, one student who entered with limited background, shared that the program transformed his understanding of core technical skills including mixer operation, equalization, dynamic compression, and noise gating. “I came in with almost no information, and I learned a lot,” John explained. “I’m not the most experienced here, but I’m still very confident — way better than how I came in.”

    For seasoned participants, the program offered a chance to refine self-taught techniques and adopt more effective, industry-standard practices. Michael Hutchinson, who had already worked with local bands and small events before enrolling, noted that the training revealed gaps in methods he had developed on his own. “You just learned it in ways that worked, but there were better ways and safer ways and things that could make you do it much better,” he said. At Sound Fest, Hutchinson put his new skills to work as front-of-house engineer for the Thamara set featuring Jeavid Neckles, and served as a stage technician for performances by Sabrina Francis and the Treehouse Band.

    Beyond structured classroom learning, the Sound Fest capstone gave students hands-on experience troubleshooting real-time issues that arise during live events. Unlike training exercises where learners have time to work through problems step-by-step, live production requires fast critical thinking to resolve unexpected gear or audio failures mid-performance. John noted that response strategies shift depending on the specific issue, while Hutchinson emphasized that the program taught him the importance of advance preparation — including maintaining standby gear and having clear protocols for troubleshooting emergency electronic failures.

    SoundLeap’s successful launch is rooted in its leadership team, which draws on decades of collective experience across Grenada’s music and entertainment sector. Lead instructor Petroc “Rocky” Bernard, who has worked in the live sound industry for roughly 20 years, explained that the program was created to address a longstanding local need for more comprehensive formal training for sound engineers and stage technicians. The full instructional team brings a diverse range of expertise: Hervin Hood counts more than 19 years of recording studio engineering experience alongside 9 years in live production; Dieter Burkhalter has over 45 years of multi-faceted experience as a musician, promoter, organizer, educator, arranger, and sound engineer; Jerrod “Rodey” Nelson contributes expertise as a working bassist and musical director; Alesia Aird brings professional experience in live music production; Ryan Richards is a practicing sound engineer; and Sabrina Francis, an award-winning singer-songwriter and 2026 Groovy Monarch winner, adds more than a decade of Caribbean music industry experience and a critical artist perspective to the curriculum.

    Unlike short, one-off workshops common in the region, SoundLeap’s 6-month curriculum covers foundational and advanced topics ranging from the history of sound transducers and audio physics to audio component design, signal flow, and modern console technology. Following the successful completion of the first cohort, Bernard noted that many graduates have already secured entry-level work in the field and will continue building their skills through the SoundLeap network. Moving forward, the initiative aims to grow into a sustained professional community that supports ongoing learning and career development for Grenada’s next generation of live sound professionals, with the second cohort set to begin training in April 2027.

  • Ariza increases support to Waggy T Super Knockout

    Ariza increases support to Waggy T Super Knockout

    As one of the most anticipated local football tournaments prepares to kick off its 16th iteration, regional financial institution Ariza Credit Union has announced a major expansion of its long-running support, raising its total sponsorship commitment to $20,000 – double the amount it contributed in previous installments. The announcement was formally delivered during the official media launch event for the tournament, where representatives from the credit union also reaffirmed their enduring collaborative relationship with event organizer Megaforce Promotions, a partnership that has lasted for more than 10 years. The expanded sponsorship package includes both direct cash funding and curated prizes for participants. A standout component of the prize pool is complimentary Ariza Credit Union memberships and shares, an offering designed to introduce young athletes to formal financial services and help them start building long-term financial stability with the institution. In a formal address at the launch, Ariza Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Mervyn Lord emphasized that the cooperative has consistently prioritized community programs that deliver tangible, life-changing opportunities for young people across the region. “At Ariza, we hold the core belief that investing in our youth is equivalent to investing in the long-term prosperity of our local communities and our entire nation,” Lord explained. “Events like the Waggy T Super Knockout create a structured space for young athletes to nurture their football skills, strengthen their personal character, and internalize core values including collaborative teamwork, self-discipline, and consistent perseverance. We are thrilled to expand our support this year, and to continue our successful partnership with Megaforce Promotions as we work to open new doors for the next generation.” Beyond the tournament itself, Ariza Credit Union highlighted its pride in sustaining this beloved community sporting tradition, noting that the competition has become a cornerstone of local youth athletic development over the past 15 editions. The institution also emphasized its commitment to continuing to nurture opportunities for young competitors to grow, test their skills against top peers, and achieve excellence both on and off the pitch. Ahead of the 2026 tournament’s opening matches, Ariza extended its warmest wishes to every participating team, encouraging all athletes to compete with enthusiasm, integrity, and national pride throughout the duration of the competition. This report is published via NOW Grenada, which notes it does not take responsibility for opinions or statements shared by contributing authors. Individuals can report abusive content through designated platform channels.

  • Celebrating the 77th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China

    Celebrating the 77th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China

    On October 1, 2026, diplomatic circles in Grenada marked a major milestone: the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The official commemoration was led by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China stationed in Grenada, which used the occasion to reaffirm the longstanding positive ties between Beijing and St. George’s.

    In a message released for the anniversary, the Chinese Embassy extended a call for enduring friendship between the two nations, stating ‘Long live the friendship between China and Grenada.’ This public commemoration comes as bilateral cooperation between China and Grenada has expanded across multiple sectors in recent decades, from infrastructure development to cultural exchange and trade, deepening people-to-people connections between the two countries.

    It should be noted that this report was carried by local Grenadian media outlet NOW Grenada, which has clarified that the outlet does not take responsibility for the opinions, statements, or any media content submitted by third-party contributors. The platform maintains a standard channel for users to report any inappropriate or abusive content linked to contributor submissions.

  • Ministry of Climate Resilience undertakes Renewable Energy Learning Mission in Morocco

    Ministry of Climate Resilience undertakes Renewable Energy Learning Mission in Morocco

    A high-level delegation from Grenada’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy (MCRERE) has traveled to Morocco for a five-day knowledge-sharing mission focused on renewable energy development, running from September 28 to October 2, 2026. Led by Permanent Secretary Peron Johnson, the delegation includes two key senior leaders: Leslie Smith, Director of Renewable Energy, and Titus Antoine, Director of Climate Resilience.

    Hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco via the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen), this mission is designed to let the Grenadian team study firsthand Morocco’s decades-long progress in scaling up renewable energy and advancing its own just clean energy transition. The structured program covers a wide range of critical topics, from national renewable energy policy formulation and strategic spatial planning to project development, climate finance mobilization, investment structuring, and on-the-ground practical insights into renewable energy technology deployment and large-scale infrastructure buildout. Beyond knowledge gathering, the mission also creates space to explore potential bilateral collaboration avenues between Grenada and Masen that could support future clean energy projects in the Caribbean.

    As a core component of the itinerary, the delegation has conducted technical site visits to some of Morocco’s most prominent utility-scale renewable energy facilities. These include the 140-megawatt Tangiers I Wind Farm, the massive Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex – one of the largest concentrated solar power facilities in Africa – and the Casablanca-based Renewable Energy Cluster, a hub for innovation and industry collaboration in the clean energy sector.

    During their time in Morocco, the delegation also paid a formal courtesy visit to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Embassy in Rabat, where they met with senior embassy officials to discuss the future of energy development across the OECS bloc. The talks centered on aligning regional approaches to renewable energy expansion, strengthening cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing, identifying regional investment opportunities, and designing collective measures to boost energy resilience for all OECS member states.

    This mission comes at a pivotal moment for Grenada, as the island nation works to deliver on the commitments laid out in its national Vision 75 Agenda. Key priorities that the mission will support include accelerating the deployment of renewable energy capacity, strengthening domestic energy security and climate resilience, reducing the country’s heavy reliance on costly imported fossil fuels, and attracting the international investment needed to complete the transition to a low-carbon energy system.

    Policymakers in Grenada expect that the technical insights and practical experience gained during the Morocco mission will directly contribute to ongoing efforts to update national energy policy and roll out new clean energy programs. It is also anticipated that the trip will help Grenada identify proven renewable energy technologies, innovative climate finance models, and replicable project development frameworks that can be adapted to the unique geographic and economic context of the small island developing state, while also opening doors to deeper regional cooperation on energy issues across the Caribbean.

    The Government of Grenada has formally extended its gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco, Masen, and Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating this exchange, noting that the opportunity for cross-border knowledge sharing, partnership building, and collaborative action will advance not only Grenada’s clean energy goals but also those of the entire OECS region.

  • Grenada Table Tennis Association Players’ Engagement Forum

    Grenada Table Tennis Association Players’ Engagement Forum

    The Grenada Table Tennis Association’s newly sworn-in executive has opened a new chapter for the sport on the Caribbean island with its first major initiative: a cross-stakeholder Players’ Engagement Forum that united every corner of the local table tennis community. Bringing together current and emerging players, coaching staff, player families, volunteer contributors, match officials and association administrators alongside top leaders from Grenada’s national sporting ecosystem, the event centered open dialogue on three critical pillars: long-term athlete development, transparent governance, and the future trajectory of table tennis across the country.

    Designed from the ground up to center player needs, the forum worked to reinforce young athletes’ commitment to the sport, laid out the full range of development support available through the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) and its Athletes’ Commission, and clarified core principles around athlete rights and responsibilities. Attendees also received a dedicated educational presentation from the Grenada National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), covering clean sport protocols and compliance standards for competing athletes.

    A lineup of high-profile speakers brought diverse insight to the gathering. GTTA President Anthony Benjamin kicked off discussions, followed by GOC President Bernard Wilson. Special guest Sir Kirani James, the globally celebrated Olympic and world 400-meter champion, shared his experience as a elite Grenadian athlete, while Hazel-Ann Regis Buckels — an Olympian and chair of the Grenada Athletes’ Commission — delivered remarks to attendees remotely.

    In his address, Wilson emphasized the importance of balancing athletic ambition with academic growth, urging aspiring table tennis players to master both the physical technique and strategic nuance of the sport. He also reminded stakeholders of the critical roles coach training, organizational capacity building, ethical governance and long-term strategic planning play in elevating local table tennis, and encouraged athletes to take full advantage of existing training, scholarship and development opportunities.

    Benjamin, who leads GTTA’s all-volunteer executive, reaffirmed the body’s commitment to building pathways for young Grenadian players to train, compete and represent their nation at regional and international tournaments. He called for stronger cross-community partnerships, consistent player discipline, targeted fundraising efforts, structured competition planning and ongoing buy-in from all stakeholders to advance the sport’s goals.

    The Grenada Athletes’ Commission used the forum to outline its core function: as an elected, independent bridge between competing athletes and national sporting governing bodies. Commission representatives detailed key athlete rights, including guarantees of fair treatment, health and safety, formal representation in governance decisions, and due process for concerns raised. They also outlined corresponding responsibilities: competing drug-free, respecting opponents, officials and fans, abiding by international and national sport rules, and escalating issues through official, recognized channels. Players were encouraged to see themselves as active stakeholders and public ambassadors for table tennis in Grenada.

    Looking ahead, GTTA has laid out clear strategic priorities for the next five years: expanding regular engagement with all stakeholders, boosting targeted development programming for both athletes and coaches, strengthening institutional governance practices, growing corporate sponsorship revenue, and increasing participation opportunities for both junior and senior players at elite regional and international competitions. The closing of the forum invited athletes and coaches to leverage existing resources within the Olympic movement, the GTTA executive and the Athletes’ Commission as formal channels for development, feedback and collaborative problem-solving moving forward.

    This report was contributed by GTTA. NOW Grenada does not take responsibility for the opinions, statements or third-party media content included in this contributor submission. Users may click the platform’s designated reporting link to flag abusive content.

  • Grenada Transport Commission to close on Thursday, 1 October

    Grenada Transport Commission to close on Thursday, 1 October

    The Grenada Transport Commission (GTC) has issued an official public advisory notifying all residents, business partners, and service users of a temporary full closure of its administrative offices next year. According to the official statement released by the Commission, all GTC office locations will cease public operations entirely on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Standard public services and regular operational activities will resume as scheduled on the following business day, Friday, October 2, 2026.

    In the advisory, the GTC extended a formal apology to all members of the public who may experience disruption to their planned transport-related services or administrative errands during the one-day closure. The Commission also expressed its gratitude for the public’s ongoing understanding and cooperation as it facilitates this temporary operational pause. At the end of the published notice, media outlet NOW Grenada added a standard disclaimer clarifying that it does not take responsibility for opinions, statements, or third-party contributed media content published through its platform. A channel for users to report any inappropriate content is also provided for public convenience.

  • Republic Bank Staff lend a hand at Gouyave Soup Kitchen

    Republic Bank Staff lend a hand at Gouyave Soup Kitchen

    Small acts of collective kindness can often create meaningful, tangible change for local communities, and nine staff members from Republic Bank put this principle into practice in late September. On Friday, 25 September, employees drawn from the bank’s Marketing & Communications and Head Office Administration teams traveled to St Peter’s RC Church Soup Kitchen Ministry in Gouyave, St John, to contribute their time and resources to a long-running community support effort.

    The St Peter’s RC Church Soup Kitchen Ministry has become a critical safety net for vulnerable residents of Gouyave, operating three days per week to deliver around 40 hot, nourishing meals to people in need each operating day. The visiting Republic Bank team did not just show up to observe: they immediately got to work, sponsoring the day’s meals and personally serving food to guests who rely on the ministry’s services. Beyond volunteering their time and energy, the bank also made a targeted practical donation: a 17-kilogram Frigidaire washing machine, purpose-built to handle the regular cleaning of dishcloths and linens used in meal preparation and service. This new appliance addresses a longstanding operational need for the ministry, removing a small but persistent barrier to its ongoing work supporting the community.

    For the nine volunteers who participated in the day, the experience extended far beyond a standard corporate volunteer outing. They had the rare opportunity to work side-by-side with the ministry’s regular, dedicated volunteer team, gaining first-hand insight into the consistent care and unwavering commitment that goes into running the soup kitchen week after week. Mavis Mc Burnie, General Manager of Operations at Republic Bank, emphasized that the initiative aligned directly with the bank’s core community values. “We are enormously pleased to stand with the St Peter’s RC Church Soup Kitchen Ministry, both through our equipment donation and our team’s on-the-ground support,” she said. “We recognize the irreplaceable good work this ministry carries out, and we are proud to contribute in a practical way to its ongoing mission of delivering nutritious meals and compassionate care to people who need it most.”

    Parish Priest Fr. Michael Opoku, who leads the parish that hosts the soup kitchen, extended sincere gratitude to Republic Bank and its staff for their targeted support. He noted that the new washing machine would streamline the soup kitchen’s daily operations, while the extra volunteer hands made the day’s service run far more smoothly for both staff and guests.

    This community outreach effort is not an isolated one for Republic Bank: it forms a core part of the bank’s institutional commitment to improving the communities it serves, through its flagship “Power to Make a Difference” program. The initiative focuses on supporting local projects that strengthen community bonds and lift up the lives of individual residents and families across the region. Republic Bank closed by thanking the St Peter’s RC Church Soup Kitchen Ministry for the opportunity to partner in its work, and reaffirmed its respect for the ministry’s years of dedicated service to the people of Gouyave.

  • Grenada advances quality management at General Hospital laboratory

    Grenada advances quality management at General Hospital laboratory

    Grenada has taken a critical step forward in upgrading the performance and dependability of its national public health laboratory services, following a comprehensive three-day technical evaluation carried out at the General Hospital’s Pathology Laboratory. Conducted between September 14 and 16, 2026, the assessment was led by quality assurance specialists from the Global Laboratory and Epidemiology Systems Strengthening Network (GLESSN), with financial and logistical backing from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) through the regional Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean nations.

    The evaluation focused specifically on the laboratory’s existing quality management frameworks and operational processes that underpin diagnostic testing for high-priority infectious diseases that carry major public health risks, including influenza, dengue fever, and a range of antibiotic-resistant and other clinically significant bacterial infections. Over the three-day review, the expert team carried out on-site observations of daily laboratory workflows, conducted one-on-one and group interviews with technical and administrative staff, and completed a thorough audit of the facility’s standard operating procedures, quality control records, and compliance documentation.

    All insights gathered during the assessment will be used to map out priority areas for targeted improvement, and to guide the laboratory’s ongoing work to refine its quality management system as it works toward full international accreditation. Robust, well-designed laboratory quality systems are a foundational pillar of effective public health infrastructure: they guarantee that patient test results are accurate, consistent, and delivered in a timely manner, giving clinicians the critical information they need to make evidence-based care decisions, and enabling health authorities to detect and respond to emerging public health threats at the earliest possible stage.

    The assessment mission wrapped up with a closing debriefing session that brought together key stakeholders from across Grenada’s health sector, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, General Hospital executive leadership, the Pathology Laboratory’s senior management team, and PAHO/WHO technical advisers. Attendees emphasized that cross-system collaboration is non-negotiable for meaningful progress, noting that achieving full laboratory accreditation demands sustained commitment and coordinated investment from every level of the national health system, not just the laboratory team itself.

    While the path to full accreditation will require additional targeted work and sustained investment, the assessment has established a clear, evidence-based foundation to identify operational gaps, rank improvement priorities, and develop actionable strategies that will boost both the quality and long-term sustainability of Grenada’s core laboratory services.

    Dr. Eva Jané Llopis, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, reaffirmed the organization’s long-term commitment to supporting Grenada through every stage of this improvement process. “As the Pandemic Fund project moves into its next implementation phase, PAHO will continue to deliver ongoing technical mentorship and hands-on practical support to the team,” Dr. Jané Llopis shared. “This ensures that investments in new equipment, testing reagents, and staff training are anchored by robust, sustainable quality management systems that deliver long-term benefits to the population.”

    This assessment is just one component of a much broader regional initiative under the Pandemic Fund, which aims to strengthen core laboratory systems and diagnostic capacity across Grenada and all participating Eastern Caribbean countries, boosting collective ability to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to emerging infectious disease threats that can spread across national borders.

    This content is provided by PAHO/WHO, with NOW Grenada noting it does not take responsibility for opinions, statements, or third-party media included in contributor-submitted content.

  • Slinger Francisco: Grenada’s son, the Caribbean’s Calypso King

    Slinger Francisco: Grenada’s son, the Caribbean’s Calypso King

    The Caribbean and global cultural communities are in mourning this week after the passing of Slinger Francisco, universally known by his stage name the Mighty Sparrow, who died on September 27, 2026, at the age of 91. In an official statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell joined the island nation’s residents, its global diaspora, Caribbean neighbors and fans worldwide in honoring the life and legacy of one of the region’s most beloved cultural figures.

    Born in July 1935 in the quiet community of Grand Roy, St. John, Grenada, Francisco grew up in modest circumstances before ascending to become one of the most transformative musical voices in Caribbean history. His career spanned decades, and his name became synonymous with the evolution of calypso music, earning him the enduring nickname the “Calypso King of the World.”

    Beyond being a celebrated entertainer, the Mighty Sparrow redefined what calypso could be, reshaping the genre into a dynamic medium for social commentary, vivid storytelling, sharp political observation, and joyful cultural expression. His songwriting captured every facet of Caribbean life: from the everyday joys and struggles of working people to shifting political tides and the slow transformation of regional social landscapes, all delivered with his signature wit and distinctive vocal style. He served not just as a musician, but as a historian of Caribbean experience, a thoughtful commentator on regional affairs, and a global cultural ambassador who brought Caribbean identity to audiences across every continent.

    The impact of Francisco’s decades-long career is impossible to overstate. He broke down barriers for Caribbean artists on the global stage, opening doors that allowed generations of subsequent calypsonians and other regional creatives to share their work with wider audiences. His career stands as a powerful testament to the fact that artistic talent nurtured on the small islands of the Caribbean can resonate far beyond national borders, capturing the hearts of listeners around the world.

    Today, while Grenada mourns the loss of its native son, the nation also joins the global Caribbean community in celebrating his extraordinary 91 years of life. Prime Minister Mitchell extended the deepest condolences of the Grenadian government and people to Francisco’s family, friends, fellow artists in the calypso community, and the countless admirers across the globe who have grieved his passing.

    Though his voice is now silent, the Mighty Sparrow’s music and legacy will continue to echo for generations to come. To the world he was the iconic Calypso King of the World; to the Caribbean, he was a beloved legend; and to Grenada, he will always remain a source of national pride, the island’s son who put Caribbean culture on the global map. The government and people of Grenada salute his life, his work, and his enduring contribution to global culture, and wish him eternal rest.