Barbados to celebrate Africa-CARICOM Day: Government

Bridgetown, Barbados: The Caribbean Community – CARICOM acknowledges its conjoining with the African region on September 7 as Africa-CARICOM Day. This day celebrated the strengthening relationship between both regions.

As the occasion is near, the government of Barbados assured that it will join hands with the Caribbean Community on Thursday to celebrate the union of Africa and CARICOM.

This announcement was made by the Ambassador of Barbados to CARICOM – David Comissiong. As per the schedule shared by him, the island nation will start its celebration at 8:30 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony at the Headquarters of the Government of Barbados. The authorities will host the flags of CARICOM and the African Union (AU) to pay their respect to both.

Following this, short addresses will be delivered by the representatives of CARICOM, AU and the Government of Barbados. Along with this, locals will also participate in cultural performances. The celebrations will continue till the evening as CBC Television will air a programme featuring live reports as well as discussions with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Export Barbados; Invest Barbados, Afreximbank in Barbados; Ghanaian nurses; and The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

CARICOM Chair Roosevelt Skerrit invites the Community to observe Africa-CARICOM Day 2023:

It is to be noted that Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, the newly appointed Chairperson of CARICOM, who also serves as the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, emphasised that CARICOM Community will celebrate Africa-CARICOM Day, in keeping with the decision taken at the inaugural Africa-CARICOM Summit on September 7, 2021.

PM Roosevelt Skerrit appealed to the Community to come forward and celebrate the fast-developing relationship with Africa and the African Union. Additionally, he asked the general public of Community and Union to organise, host and manage some meaningful activities to observe this important day.

Chairperson of CARICOM Skerrit mentioned, “As CARICOM, we continue to prioritise efforts to build on our deep historical and cultural ties with our sister African nations. We are keen to identify new avenues for partnership and collaboration and advance existing initiatives to expand trade and commercial relations between our two regions.”

CARICOM Chairperson and Ambassador of Barbados to CARICOM appeal public:

PM Skerrit and Ambassador Comissiong have been encouraging the public of the regions to come and join to make this celebration a success. They outlined that the spirit of Africa-CARICOM Day must be embraced. The ministers outlined that the Caribbean Community seeks to deepen the relationship with the African Union with the passing of time.