Our people are our greatest resource and we must continue to educate and empower them. We must seek to develop the potential of each individual with a feeling of self-worth, positive self-esteem and a love of God and neighbour. 

The challenges we face demand that we embrace appropriate strategies for the development of our human resource. Remember, the saying ‘If we live with love we learn to love’. The home is and should be the primary agent of love, then the school and the church.

In our homes and in our schools our children must feel accepted and appreciated. They must experience challenges and encouragement. They must experience success and its rewards. When they experience failure and disappointment, they must be helped to see the situation as another challenge to overcome and therefore as another opportunity to achieve success.

Parents and teachers must do more to develop the whole child by showing good example and by explaining and encouraging orderly behavior in the daily routine at home and at school. They should encourage and compliment the children who show acceptable forms of behaviour as this helps to promote discipline in children. 

The individuals learn to be responsible for their behaviour and to set good example. Also, more children should be encouraged to be active in groups such as Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance and others. These groups promote friendship and service to others; they provide lots of fun and develop leadership and other skills. More children need to be involved also in drama, dance and music (vocal and instrumental).

The home and the school must help children to discover their potential by providing opportunities for the expression of a variety of talents. Our children can be, for example, more versatile in the creative and performing arts if encouraged by the opportunity and guidance. More adults are needed as volunteers, one/two hours per week, to assist with the groups at school. Help them now and build a better future for them and the country.

We have to change our ways of operating. Change challenges the individual or group and some people are threatened by change. Change requires new thinking and re-training. Many individuals change several times on the same job because of changes in technology and/or policy. Many times however, change has to be explained and negotiated – between parents and children, school and parents, employers and trade unions/employees.

Workers at all levels and in all industries including the public service have to change. They have to improve their level of performance, their competence and their productivity. Of course, punctuality, courtesy and good manners are integral parts of performance in the service industries. Workers’ attitude and competence affect their productivity; positive attitude; high level of competence and confidence enhance productivity.

We need new ideas for the economic and social advancement of our country particularly in the areas of education, tourism and agriculture. Our education system needs to address some curriculum reform at the primary and secondary levels. Programmes in food nutrition and wellness with emphasis on local foods and beverages; craft and vocational skills; dance, drama and music (vocal and instrumental) should be revisited. The recently added attention to the ‘soft skills’ of interpersonal relations and ‘anger management’ is to be commended. These programmes all have serious implications for personal and social development as well as for economic development, especially in the tourism industry.

Tourism is now introduced as a subject to be taught in our schools and this is good for all. The decentralization of the industry makes sound economic sense. Grenada is a small island and no village is far from a beach. The development of a cultural centre, recreational park/area, improvement of historical and natural sites and local festivals in villages/towns will bring tourists to these areas and promote interaction between visitors and locals. This approach will also enhance the development of our people and the economy by providing opportunities for the people to market their foods, creative talents in art and craft; also their performing skills in dance, drama and music – song and instrumental. In this approach tourism is promoted along with community development.

Our farmers have returned to the land and agriculture is showing strong signs of recovery. The production of cocoa, nutmeg and spices has increased and the prices are better especially for our quality cocoa and nutmegs. The local market for fruits and vegetables has received a boost with the establishment of two agro-processing plants soon to begin operation. Also the Marketing and National Importing Board has agreed on certain initiatives with farmers. There is expansion in the cottage industry and there are signs that more young men are becoming involved in farming, as seen in the significant increase in the number doing the programme at the Mirabeau Farm School. The Ministry of Agriculture will soon have to state its policy on making ‘idle lands’ and other incentives available to farmers.

The programme in Home Economics and Agriculture including livestock, in our schools may be revisited to accommodate new emphasis and focus in vegetable and fruit cultivation. We must continue to promote ‘the marriage’ between agriculture and tourism and the importance of food and nutrition to the nation’s physical and economic health and wellbeing.

The development and prosperity of our country has been built and will continue to be built on the resourcefulness of our people, (friendly, talented, enterprising, resilient and God fearing) as we exploit the resources of the land and sea (fertile soil, beautiful and varied landscape, beaches and off-shore fishing grounds) and our culture, rich and varied, yet simple and hospitable. We are building and will continue to build our economy and our country on our God-given gifts and talents.

Let us accept and appreciate what we have been blessed with – a most beautiful island with one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean, St. George’s, now celebrating its 300th Anniversary. Let us face the challenges of today together and encourage each other as we strive for success in building a better Grenada, a brighter, friendlier and more prosperous Grenada. Remember the motto of our country: Brighter Out of Darkness.

Be a light in your home, in your school, in your church, in your club or group, in your workplace. Yes, by what you say. But more importantly by what you do. ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED.

“Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good work and glorify your Father in Heaven (Mat. 5:15)

HAPPY 36TH ANNIVERSARY GRENADA!

GOD BLESS OUR NATION