Carib Scope

标签： Grenada

格林纳达

  • Louis Williams appointed first chair of PSEP Fund Board

    Louis Williams appointed first chair of PSEP Fund Board

    The Grenadian government has formally established the inaugural Board of Trustees for the Public Sector Employees Pension Fund, appointing veteran financial expert Louis Williams as its first chairman. The appointments were officially gazetted on December 12, 2025, following Cabinet approval during its October 6 meeting.

    Mr. Williams brings substantial expertise to the role, having recently concluded a distinguished 23-year career with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) where he retired in December 2020. His extensive background in financial management positions him to lead the critical oversight of public sector pensions.

    The nine-member board will serve a three-year term effective October 1, 2025, comprising professionals with diverse expertise as mandated by the Pension Fund legislation. Adrian Strachan assumes the role of Deputy Chairman, while other members include legal representative Wynette Baker, actuarial expert Shontell T Mc Guire, human resources specialist Peterlyn Cooper, investment professional Mervin Lord, and labor representative Daisy Hazzard from the Grenada Trades Union Council.

    The board also includes ex-officio government representatives Lyndonna Hillaire Marshall (Permanent Secretary for Public Administration) and Mike Sylvester (Permanent Secretary for Finance). Their appointments reflect the governance structure outlined in Part IV of the Pension Fund law, which requires specific qualifications including legal practice experience, actuarial expertise, financial knowledge, human resources background, investment proficiency, and representation from both trade unions and statutory bodies.

    The legislation further stipulates that trustees shall bear duties and obligations in accordance with the Trustee Act, Chapter 329, ensuring proper accountability mechanisms for the management and administration of the Fund.

  • Bernard Antoine chairs new Public Service Commission

    Bernard Antoine chairs new Public Service Commission

    The Grenadian government has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of its Public Service Commission (PSC), with several key membership changes announced through an official notice in the 12 December 2025 Government Gazette. Former Chairperson Deborah St Bernard, who had held the position since November 2022, will not continue for a second three-year term, alongside commissioners Judy Benoit and Jim Alexander.

    The newly reconstituted commission will be chaired by Bernard Antoine, with additional members including Faye Thompson (returning from the previous commission), Patricia Telesford, Adrian Francis representing the Public Workers Union, and James Alexander representing the Grenada Union of Teachers. This newly formed team is scheduled to commence their official duties on 22 November 2025, serving a standard three-year term.

    Established under Section 83 of the Grenada Constitution, the PSC operates as an autonomous entity with clearly defined appointment protocols. The Chairman and two members are appointed by the Governor-General following recommendations from the Prime Minister, while the remaining two members are selected after consultation with appropriate representative bodies, specifically the Grenada Union of Teachers and the Grenada Civil Service Association. The Constitution explicitly mandates that no appointments can proceed without obtaining agreement from these consulted organizations.

    Commission members are required to take official oaths of allegiance and office, affirming their operational independence from external influence or control when executing their constitutional responsibilities. The PSC maintains critical authority over public service personnel matters, including appointments, disciplinary actions, removals from office, and leave approvals, as outlined in Section 84(1) of the Constitution, subject only to provisions in Section 91.

  • Niger Timothy Houston graduates as Agricultural Engineer from EARTH University

    Niger Timothy Houston graduates as Agricultural Engineer from EARTH University

    Grenada has marked a significant educational achievement with Niger Timothy Houston’s graduation as an Agricultural Engineer from EARTH University in Costa Rica. The December 5th ceremony recognized 108 graduates from 27 countries, highlighting Grenada’s growing commitment to sustainable agriculture education.

    Houston represents an expanding cohort of Grenadian students choosing EARTH University for advanced training in sustainable agriculture. With four currently enrolled students and one previous graduate, this educational partnership strengthens as Grenada prioritizes agricultural modernization and food security resilience.

    In reflective remarks, Houston described his EARTH University experience as fundamentally transformative, providing both technical skills and personal development. “EARTH has equipped me with the confidence, global perspective, and practical abilities to serve Grenada meaningfully,” he stated, emphasizing the program’s focus on real-world problem solving and leadership development. Houston actively encouraged other young Grenadians to pursue this educational opportunity.

    The graduation ceremony attracted significant support from international education advocates. Dr. Khan Nedd, Chair of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Board of Trustees and EARTH University director, attended to affirm the importance of educational investments that strengthen communities. Dr. Nedd’s philanthropic leadership aligns with EARTH’s mission to prepare professionals for agricultural, climate, and equity challenges.

    Victor Sánchez of EARTH’s Development and Advancement Division highlighted the university’s comprehensive educational approach, combining technical training with character development. “Our program cultivates persistence, discipline, and environmental responsibility while preparing students for global leadership,” Sánchez noted, expressing particular confidence in Grenadian students’ potential.

    Belmont Estate, through Managing Director Shadel Nyack Compton, has developed a robust partnership with EARTH University, providing internship opportunities for third-year students and graduates. Compton expressed strong endorsement of EARTH’s educational model, stating, “This institution delivers exactly the training Grenada needs to build an innovative, sustainable agricultural future.”

    The graduation celebrations concluded with vibrant cultural presentations featuring active participation from Grenadian students, symbolizing both national pride and global connectivity. This educational milestone represents Grenada’s strategic investment in developing leaders capable of advancing climate-smart agriculture and rural transformation.

  • G-CREWS RfP: Rainwater Harvesting in Schools

    G-CREWS RfP: Rainwater Harvesting in Schools

    The German development agency GIZ has issued a formal Request for Proposals seeking qualified consultants for a significant climate resilience project in Grenada. The initiative focuses on implementing advanced rainwater harvesting systems across multiple educational institutions throughout the island nation.

    This consulting opportunity forms a critical component of the Climate-Resilient Water Sector in Grenada (G-CREWS) Project, with field operations scheduled to commence on January 20, 2026. The selected consultant will undertake a comprehensive 129-day assignment extending through July 31, 2026, delivering specialized engineering and construction supervision services.

    The scope of work encompasses two primary dimensions: detailed design development for retrofitting and new installations at 11 schools, followed by direct supervision of construction activities at up to 7 educational facilities. The consultant will bear responsibility for ensuring all infrastructure components meet specified technical standards and design requirements throughout implementation.

    A distinctive feature of this project involves integrating comprehensive environmental and social safeguards into the supervision framework. The consultant must address climate variability considerations and incorporate gender-sensitive approaches throughout project execution. Additionally, the contract includes an optional provision extending supervision services to four additional sites beyond the initial commitment.

    Prospective bidders must submit complete technical proposals and pricing offers as separate PDF documents via email to procurement-gd@giz.de by 4:30 PM Eastern Caribbean Time on January 5, 2026. All submissions must include the precise subject line “RWH in Schools” to ensure proper processing. GIZ will acknowledge electronic bid receipts through automated confirmation messages.

    Interested parties should consult the comprehensive Terms of Reference for detailed specifications and must complete the attached Questionnaire for Architects, Engineers and Contractors to be considered for this significant sustainable infrastructure development opportunity.

  • Grenada to auction EC$10 million Treasury Bill on 15 December

    Grenada to auction EC$10 million Treasury Bill on 15 December

    The Government of Grenada will conduct its final securities auction of 2025 on December 15th, offering a 365-day Treasury Bill seeking to raise EC$10 million through the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange. This auction represents the culmination of Grenada’s annual borrowing activities on the regional market.

    The investment instrument features a maximum interest rate of 5.0% and will be available for bidding between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm through the primary market platform. According to official documentation, Grenada has successfully raised over EC$110 million throughout 2025 across seven separate auctions, comprising four 91-day Treasury Bills and three 365-day Treasury Bills.

    Proceeds from these securities offerings are strategically allocated to refinance existing Treasury bills and notes currently circulating in the market. This approach forms an integral component of the government’s comprehensive Debt Management Strategy, specifically designed to minimize borrowing costs by reducing dependency on overdraft facilities.

    A significant advantage for investors lies in the tax-exempt status of yields, which are not subject to any form of taxation, duty, or levy by participating Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) governments. This favorable tax treatment enhances the effective return for market participants.

    Concurrently, Grenada has pioneered financial inclusion through its innovative Retail Bond Programme, launching an inaugural EC$5 million offering specifically tailored for individual investors. This initiative features an accessible minimum investment threshold of just $500, coupled with a 2-year investment term and tax-free returns. The program serves dual purposes of facilitating wealth accumulation while promoting financial literacy among first-time and small-scale investors throughout the Eastern Caribbean region.

  • Health Minister speaks about 2 major challenges facing his portfolio

    Health Minister speaks about 2 major challenges facing his portfolio

    Health Minister Phillip Telesford has issued a stark warning to Parliament, identifying a severe labor shortage and rapidly declining vaccination rates as two critical threats to Grenada’s public health system. The minister revealed that the Primary Healthcare division is operating with a deficit of 88 nurses, crippling the nation’s ability to adequately staff its 33 primary healthcare facilities.

    During his address to the Lower House in the 2024 Budget debate on December 5, Minister Telesford presented alarming statistics showing the healthcare system’s staffing crisis extends beyond nursing. The minister detailed that while 250 staff members are required for proper operation of primary healthcare facilities, the current workforce stands at just 162—a shortage that affects medical officers, doctors, pharmacists, and support staff across the board.

    The vaccine hesitancy crisis presents an equally grave concern. Telesford reported a disturbing decade-long trend of growing resistance to vaccination, with rates plummeting from 83% in 2024 to a mere 65% in 2025—far below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. The minister expressed particular concern about parents who were themselves vaccinated but now refuse to vaccinate their children, citing various unfounded reasons.

    Telesford delivered a powerful statement on the consequences of inaction: “For many of us, Mr. Speaker, we would not be standing here today in this parliament had we not been vaccinated.” He warned that without immediate intervention, Grenada faces the resurgence of uncontrollable diseases within just a few years, urging the nation to take vaccination seriously before the situation deteriorates further.

  • PWU awaits outcome of Labour Commissioner conciliation

    PWU awaits outcome of Labour Commissioner conciliation

    Employees of T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), backed by the Public Workers Union (PWU), staged a peaceful demonstration outside the institution ahead of a pivotal conciliation meeting with Grenada’s Labour Commissioner. The union expressed firm confidence that documented evidence would secure their demand for a 5% wage increase in 2025 followed by 4% annual raises through 2028.

    PWU President General Daisy Hazzard emphasized that workers expect the conciliation to uphold agreements made during September 2024 negotiations. “We know for a fact that the victims here are the employees,” Hazzard stated, noting their prolonged patience in seeking resolution through social dialogue. While expressing reluctance toward industrial action, she affirmed the union’s determination to pursue all necessary measures until achieving their “just cause.”

    A critical aspect of the dispute centers on current financial losses suffered by staff. Hazzard revealed that employees began 2025 with reduced take-home pay compared to 2024 due to newly implemented deductions. These include a 3% pension contribution enacted without consultation and increased National Insurance Scheme payments. The president noted that for some workers, the requested 5% increase amounts to less than $100 monthly.

    Hazzard connected the college’s institutional stability to national interests, stating: “Without the college, we have no workforce… no tertiary graduates prepared to serve Grenada or the wider world.” She expressed hope this would be the final protest for basic wage fairness.

    The conciliation occurs alongside ongoing industrial action by the Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT), which mobilized significant numbers on December 10, 2025, indicating broader educational sector tensions. The PWU committed to updating members after the conciliation concludes and informing the public if necessary.

  • SGU and TAMCC sign agreement to expand higher education opportunities in Grenada

    SGU and TAMCC sign agreement to expand higher education opportunities in Grenada

    In a landmark development for Caribbean higher education, St. George’s University (SGU) and T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) have formalized a comprehensive partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 10. The agreement establishes an integrated educational framework designed to create seamless academic progression opportunities for Grenadian students.

    The strategic collaboration will enable TAMCC graduates to transition directly into accelerated bachelor’s degree programs at SGU’s School of Arts and Sciences. Beyond articulation pathways, the partnership encompasses joint curriculum development, collaborative research initiatives, and community engagement programs across multiple disciplines including tourism and hospitality, information technology, natural sciences, and creative arts.

    Dr. Marios Loukas, SGU President and Dean of the School of Medicine, emphasized the transformative potential of the alliance: “This partnership represents our commitment to educational accessibility and excellence. By creating structured pathways between institutions, we’re investing in both human capital development and regional advancement.”

    The ceremonial signing at SGU’s Chancellor Charles Modica Campus brought together administrative leadership from both institutions. Dr. Wendy Grenade, Chair of the TAMCC Council, noted the agreement’s significance: “This collaboration allows us to leverage world-class resources while maintaining our commitment to accessible education. We’re building an integrated system that addresses both local needs and regional development goals.”

    Implementation will be managed through a joint working group with representatives from both institutions. The initial agreement remains effective for four years with built-in provisions for renewal, signaling a long-term commitment to educational cooperation in the Eastern Caribbean.

  • SAGE Learning Hub and Network Hardware launches at TAMCC and Newlo

    SAGE Learning Hub and Network Hardware launches at TAMCC and Newlo

    Grenada’s educational landscape is set for a significant transformation with the upcoming inauguration of two pioneering digital learning facilities. The Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) programme will unveil a comprehensive SAGE Learning Hub and Network Hardware installation at T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) on December 15, 2025, followed by another hub at the New Life Organisation (Newlo) the subsequent day.

    These cutting-edge educational centers represent a strategic investment in Caribbean sustainable development, engineered to bridge digital divides and accelerate regional transition toward environmentally conscious economic models. Financed through substantial backing from the Government of Canada, the initiative underscores international cooperation in building climate-resilient education infrastructure.

    The newly established hubs feature innovative smart classroom technologies and interactive digital tools that redefine conventional pedagogical approaches. This educational architecture creates dynamic, flexible learning environments specifically designed to cultivate both digital literacy and green economy competencies essential for success in evolving global job markets.

    Pat Bidart, Senior Technical Advisor for the SAGE programme, emphasized the transformative potential of these facilities: “This infrastructure represents a quantum leap in educational methodology, fundamentally integrating sustainability principles with practical skills development. Through Canada’s partnership, we’re empowering Caribbean learners with future-ready capabilities for emerging green industries.”

    Beyond formal education, the hubs will serve as community resources, offering free access to digital equipment and dedicated learning spaces. Local residents will gain opportunities for online education participation, professional certification programs, and digital skill enhancement in supportive environments.

    This community-oriented strategy ensures that technological benefits extend beyond academic institutions to broader societal development. The programme particularly focuses on inclusive access for women and youth populations, addressing historical barriers to technological participation.

    As part of a broader regional transformation effort, SAGE continues to advance technical and vocational education through STEM integration, green learning pathways, and digital inclusion initiatives. The upcoming launch events will gather educators, students, community leaders, and development partners to celebrate these advancements in sustainable education infrastructure.

    The SAGE programme operates under Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) with Canadian government funding, working across six Caribbean nations to enhance institutional capacity, develop green sector training programs, and create economic opportunities through demand-driven skills development.

  • WINDREF Invitation to Bid: Design Services for Shoreline Stabilisation Works

    WINDREF Invitation to Bid: Design Services for Shoreline Stabilisation Works

    The Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF) has initiated a landmark coastal preservation project to address severe climate-induced erosion in the Grenadian community of Telescope, St. Andrew. The Telescope Living Shoreline (TLS) Project represents a strategic response to decades of environmental degradation that has threatened both local livelihoods and critical marine ecosystems.

    Historical sand mining operations, once the primary sand source for Grenada’s construction industry, precipitated devastating coastal erosion and habitat destruction until the government enacted a complete ban on beach sand mining in 2009. This environmental crisis has been compounded by the systematic deterioration of the region’s coral reef system, which has historically served as a natural barrier against wave energy. Scientific assessments indicate the reef crest has experienced substantial lowering while live coral coverage has dramatically decreased, crippling the ecosystem’s regenerative capacity.

    The coastal retreat has reached alarming rates of approximately 65 centimeters annually in certain areas, with eroded sediments adversely affecting nearby seagrass beds and remaining coral formations. Additional pressures include agricultural runoff and inadequate drainage systems from informal settlements. These cumulative factors have transformed Little Bay from a premier recreational destination to a landscape of environmental emergency, where homes, infrastructure, and human safety face imminent threat.

    WINDREF is now soliciting professional design and construction supervision services for innovative shoreline stabilization works through a competitive bidding process. The implementation period for the successful bidder is established at 32 weeks, with selection procedures following the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund’s Procurement Guidelines using the Quality Cost Based Selection (QCBS) methodology.

    Interested firms must submit electronic proposals by 3:00 PM on January 12, 2026, with technical proposals to be unveiled virtually at 3:15 PM the same day. Comprehensive bidding documentation is available upon request via specified email channels using the reference code RFP No. TLS/QCBS/CS/03. WINDREF explicitly retains the right to accept or reject any submission without incurring liability for preparation costs incurred by bidders.