标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a heartfelt letter to the editor published by Newsday, young professional Allison Chang has publicly commended the National Carnival Commission for creating accessible Carnival experiences through the John Cupid Carnival Village and Flava Food Village at Queen’s Park Savannah.

Chang, representing many young working women with limited disposable income, described her initial hesitation about attending this year’s events due to online complaints about relocation. However, her decision to maintain the annual tradition with friends revealed what she characterized as ‘a refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable experience.’

The free admission event demonstrated remarkable inclusivity, attracting diverse demographics from elders to youth in a genuinely family-friendly environment. Chang highlighted electrifying performances by prominent female soca artists including Destra, Patrice Roberts, and Nadia Batson, who delivered powerful sets to packed, energetic crowds.

Beyond the musical entertainment, attendees engaged enthusiastically with Carnival characters for photographs while actively supporting local vendors. Chang reported multiple visits to the Flava Food Village, noting consistent enjoyment across all occasions.

These complementary venues have successfully created an accessible gateway to Carnival culture within a familiar public space, effectively removing financial barriers that typically exclude budget-conscious individuals and families from full participation in Trinidad’s premier cultural celebration.

The letter serves as both appreciation and validation for the National Carnival Commission’s efforts to democratize Carnival experiences amid economic challenges facing many citizens.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has unveiled an ambitious training program set to transform Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural sector through comprehensive skills development. Minister Ravi Ratiram announced the initiative following the launch of a specialized artificial insemination training program on January 15th.

The groundbreaking program will consolidate approximately 35 distinct training courses under a unified framework, marking a significant departure from the previous fragmented approach where various ministry divisions conducted separate training sessions. This consolidation will include regional administrative north and south operations along with extension training information services, all coordinated through a single umbrella program.

Minister Ratiram revealed that the training curriculum encompasses diverse agricultural disciplines including advanced crop cultivation techniques, innovative hydroponics systems, greenhouse farming methodologies, climate-resilient agricultural practices, aquaculture development, and livestock enhancement programs. The courses will be accessible across all eight counties nationwide, with projections indicating participation from at least 20,000 individuals throughout 2026.

The announcement coincided with the commencement of a two-day Artificial Insemination Technician training course, conducted in collaboration with the University of the West Indies at the School of Veterinary Medicine. This specialized program, funded by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB), brought together 20 officers for intensive training in bovine artificial insemination techniques.

Minister Ratiram emphasized the strategic importance of these initiatives, noting that enhanced livestock capacity directly addresses the nation’s substantial food import bill reduction goals. He stressed that livestock represents a primary protein source for the population, making capacity building in this sector crucial for meeting domestic demand.

The ministry’s approach positions science and technology as central pillars of agricultural development, with participants being encouraged to view their training as both professional responsibility and national service. The program aims to bridge critical skills gaps in artificial insemination services while supporting improved service delivery, enhanced food security, and long-term self-sufficiency in the livestock industry.

In a landmark ruling with profound implications for police accountability, High Court Justice Frank Seepersad has issued a powerful call for legislative reform to hold officers personally financially responsible for unlawful arrests. The January 20th decision came in the case of Jawanza Simmons, a Sangre Grande businessman who was wrongfully arrested and detained for 12 hours in 2019.

The court found that Special Reserve Constable Cleon Smith acted maliciously and beyond legal authority when he arrested Simmons outside the Shops of Cunapo on November 20, 2019. According to evidence presented, Simmons was merely smoking a cigarette and conversing with his brother when Smith approached without justification, slapped the cigarette from his hand, and demanded identification without stating any suspected offense.

Justice Seepersad described the officer’s conduct as “arbitrary and not rooted in the rule of law,” noting that speaking in a loud tone does not constitute disorderly conduct, and there was no reasonable basis for the resisting arrest charge. The court particularly condemned Smith’s repeated failure to appear in both magistrates’ and High Court proceedings, calling this non-cooperation “intolerable and unacceptable.”

The judge awarded Simmons $100,000 in total damages – $75,000 compensatory and $25,000 exemplary – to be paid by the state. However, Seepersad emphasized that taxpayers should not bear the burden of officer misconduct, recommending that legislation be amended to require offending officers to pay damages through salary deductions or forfeiture of accrued benefits.

Seepersad warned against what he described as a “frequent modus operandi” of threatening arrest without probable cause, stating that while Trinidad faces significant lawlessness, police must still exercise authority responsibly. “There is a saying that ‘fish often rots from the head,’” the judge noted, “so for the level of lawlessness to be addressed, there has to be cooperation between police and the public.”

The ruling represents a significant judicial challenge to police practices and accountability mechanisms, with the court explicitly urging parliamentary intervention to create meaningful consequences for officer misconduct.

Trinidad and Tobago’s government is evaluating potential restrictions on social media access for minors following serious concerns raised by religious leaders about digital addiction. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has indicated openness to legislation prohibiting children under 12 from social media platforms, while explicitly rejecting any ban for adults as an infringement on free speech.

The development comes after Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon compared social media addiction to substance abuse, citing testimony from tech executives who admitted designing algorithms specifically to maximize user engagement and dependency. Gordon urged the government to follow Australia’s recent implementation of social media bans for citizens under 16.

Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dominic Smith acknowledged the legitimate concerns while advocating for a balanced approach. “The challenge before us is not to eliminate technology, but to govern it responsibly,” Smith stated, emphasizing stronger safeguards for children, clearer platform accountability, and enhanced digital literacy programs.

The social media discussion occurs alongside broader government efforts to protect youth from addictive behaviors. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar recently announced plans to raise the legal age for alcohol and cannabis consumption to 21 and increase the gambling age to 25. These initiatives form part of a comprehensive strategy to combat early addiction patterns.

Archbishop Gordon commended the government’s disciplinary measures, including increased traffic fines and age restriction proposals, viewing them as constructive steps toward national building and social responsibility.

The Ministry of Public Administration and AI has already established committees addressing technology-related issues including deep fakes and online scams, indicating the government’s proactive approach to digital governance without stifling innovation or free expression.

In response to escalating crime rates and social fragmentation, Trinidad and Tobago will initiate a transformative 64-day Season for Non-Violence from January 31 to April 4. Organized by the Gandhi Seva Sangh Inc, this grassroots campaign invites citizens to engage in reflective practices and actionable steps toward peaceful conflict resolution.

The initiative emerges as a strategic countermeasure to widespread interpersonal conflicts, anxiety, and community violence plaguing the nation. Developed originally by the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in collaboration with descendants of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the program redefines non-violence as an active discipline requiring courage and emotional intelligence rather than passive acceptance.

Contrary to common misconceptions that equate non-violence with weakness, the program emphasizes its role as a practical toolkit for managing anger, healing trauma, and resolving disputes through measured responses. The organizers identify a critical societal gap: the lack of widespread knowledge about practicing non-violence under pressure.

The daily social media-based campaign will disseminate principles including compassion, respect, forgiveness, and self-control—one for each day of the 64-day period. Participants are encouraged to not only consume this content but actively implement these values in personal interactions, workplaces, and communities.

This initiative operates on the foundational belief that national development originates from individual transformation. By fostering emotional intelligence and ethical clarity at the personal level, the program aims to generate ripple effects across families, schools, and ultimately, the entire nation.

Citizens can participate by following the Season for Nonviolence TT Facebook campaign, reflecting on daily principles, sharing content to amplify peaceful messaging, and practicing principles in daily life. Additional information is available through WhatsApp, email, or social media platforms.