Antigua and Barbuda mourns death of Ambassador Ramez Hadeed

People across Antigua and Barbuda extended a glowing tribute following the death of prominent businessman and diplomat Ramez Hadeed, who passed away on December 7, 2023.

The death of a famous diplomat plunged the nation into mourning. He reportedly visited the hospital after suffering a heart attack the day prior to his death.

Dr Jacqui Quinn, a former government minister and a friend of Hadeed’s, expressed his wish to see the country’s youth shine while speaking about the businessman’s great compassion as he believed that every student should get a higher education.

‘He loved his country and worked hard for its development and progress. He believed in higher education for young people and was integrally involved in my own education from the Undergraduate to Doctoral levels”, Quinn commented.

She further talked about Hadeed’s expertise in the field of diplomacy as he had secured a great knowledge of the geopolitical climate and his tenure under back-to-back government administrations.

“As a diplomat, he was calm, measured, knowledgeable of the geopolitical climate, well-read and a skilled negotiator. I think it states the volumes that he served under four different administrations with four different prime ministers”, the former minister said.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressed a press conference to highlight the significant contribution of the diplomat, as he had resonated similar sentiments on Hadeed’s contributions to Antigua and Barbuda for years.

Notably, he has served as the country’s Ambassador since Independence in 1981 and is a regular member of the annual UN delegation.

The former General Manager of the Finance and Development Company Ltd shared his condolence and recalled the people-centric thinking of the businessman as he was a people person. His main focus was always to assist people, especially the ordinary man. He even helped the residents to access finance at the institution.

Contributions of Ramez Hadeed

Ramez Hadeed served as a diplomat for 40 years. He was ambassador to countries such as the United Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, the United Mexican States and the Republic of Iraq.

He was appointed as ambassador in 1981, and his diplomatic career spanned the tenure of former prime ministers like VC Bird, Baldwin Spencer, and Lester Bird and continued under the current Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

It is to be noted that he was officially honoured with the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation (KGCN) award, which was held at Government House on December 1.

The award was given in recognition of his contributions to community service, diplomacy, and nation-building.