Time for drastic changes

SOMETIMES one has to wonder if the people of the Caribbean – including Grenadians – are prepared to make drastic changes which must be undertaken to pull their countries out of their present malaise.

The majority of countries making up the Caribbean Community are experiencing grave economic stress as well, and in the case of three of them – St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica – their situation was aggravated by heavy rainfall and eventual flooding which disrupted the lives of citizens.

It is as if the region is in a deep hole and all kinds of assessments are being currently undertaken to ascertain exactly how the Caribbean has ended up in this position, and what it is going to take to get these countries out of this predicament.

Several analysts, including those at the Washington D.C.-based financial institutions – the IMF and World Bank – have reasoned that overdependence on tourism and especially the markets where visitors originate are responsible for this situation. The majority of visitors to these shores come from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. These are the countries that felt the full fury of the global recession and therefore the contagion spread to the Caribbean islands.

In comparison, the Latin American countries have been cited as prime examples where states undertook more economic diversification. They partnered with China and other Asian countries, where for example the demand for commodities was at its peak, and in the process benefited enormously. Economic reforms that were also undertaken by the countries in South and Central America worked in their favour to the extent that there was minimal disruption from the global crisis.

Other assessments have concluded that the islands of the Eastern Caribbean concentrated too much on commodities – sugar and bananas – for too long and did not spend enough time trying to diversify their economies. Essentially, they were ‘caught napping’ and they were late in getting the message that trade preferences were on the way out.  

No one has added the fact that as these countries moved to pursue niches in offshore activities, they were being watched by the international  community, which has consistently used their might and power to force the islands to submit to global standards – when in actual fact this has not been the case with some of the more powerful nations.

Another fault that can be levelled against the Caribbean is that they tended to borrow too much. They ran up enormous foreign debt and with declining export sectors, they had difficulties repaying borrowed funds.

These are difficult times and people have to bite the bullet and be prepared for the long road ahead.

While other countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and Belize are not encountering the same challenges as the other small islands and Jamaica, they could be impacted in another way. Their trade and in particular exports could be disrupted in the event that economic conditions in the affected countries do lead to falling demands for imports.

Let us hope that as a region these countries find solutions out of the present situation.

WAITING FOR THE EU

By Linda Straker

Grenada’s decision to approve legislations to combat electronic crimes and to amend sections of the criminal code did not only result in the island remaining on the compliance list of the Financial Action Task Force, but also paved the way for Grenada to be among 19 countries added to the EU visa free travel list.

In December 2013, it was announced by Lithuanian Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, chair of COREPER II, that the European Union had reached an agreement to allow visa free travel for citizens of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, as well as United Arab Emirates, Peru and Colombia.

COREPER comprises the Permanent Representatives of the Member States, that is ambassadors to the EU and their deputies. Owing to the large number of matters handled by COREPER, it is divided into two committees: COREPER I, which comprises the deputies of the ambassadors to the EU; and COREPER II, which comprises the ambassadors themselves and is therefore the more important of the two.

COREPER II normally concerns itself with the matters dealt with by the European Council as well as matters within the remit of the Councils for General Affairs and External Relations, Economic and Financial Affairs, and Justice and Home Affairs.

The visa free access, according to Ambassador Karoblis, is based on the progress made by the countries concerned in implementing major reforms in areas such as the strengthening of the rule of law, combating of organised crime, corruption and illegal migration, and improving of administrative capacity in border control and security of documents.

However, in order to benefit from the visa free travel, each of the 19 countries will still have to conclude a bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement with the European Union. Foreign Affairs Minister, Nickolas Steele, said Grenada has undertaken the relevant measures to conclude the visa waiver agreement and will soon get the final approval.

“I can confirm that Grenada’s Visa Waiver Agreement is already approved by the European Council and should be ratified by the European Parliament in February, following which both countries will sign it to bring it into effect,” he said on Saturday.

Steele explained that among the legislations which played a role in Grenada receiving the approval from the European Council were the Electronic Bills; the Proceeds in Crime Legislation; the Anti-Corruption Legislation and others.

“Even the recent amendments to the criminal codes, which now include offences such as trafficking in human beings, migrant smuggling, environmental crimes, piracy and hostage taking,” he said, while explaining that it will be a reciprocal agreement.

All of these Bills were approved during the First Session of the Ninth Parliament following the landslide victory of the New National Party on February 19, 2013.

Strachan appointed first chairman of GTA board

Chairman designate for the Grenada
Tourism Authority, Richard Strachan.

By Linda Straker

Richard Strachan, Chairman designate for the newly established Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), says that as a change agent, he is looking forward to being part of and working with the new Board, CEO and the innovative team at the Authority to deliver for Grenada’s tourism over the next two years.

“The Tourism Strategic Plan, which was developed for 2011-14, needs wheels to find its way to execution. And this new and dynamic Authority is the perfect vehicle,” said Strachan, following the announcement by the Minister that he is the first chairman of the GTA.

“Having served the GBT during its consideration of transitioning into an Authority, I am very excited and optimistic about accepting the Minister’s invitation to be the first chair of the new Tourism Authority,” he added.

Tourism Minister, Alexandra Otway-Noel, made the announcement of his appointment last Friday during a news conference called to update the media on the present status of the Grenada Tourism Authority, which became operational on January 2, 2014. The first CEO of the Authority is Barbadian Rudy Grant.

Strachan, who is very knowledgeable about the tourism industry, served on the Grenada Board of Tourism since September 1997 and was asked to assume the chairmanship in April, 2001 to 2004 and then again in 2008 to 2011. He has represented Grenada at international conferences, seminars, symposiums and trade shows in this regard, and was a key negotiator for alliances with international airlines and tour operators.

With an initial budget of EC$25 million for administration, promotion and marketing, the Authority’s role will be to market and promote Grenada as a premium destination in the South Caribbean. Like its predecessor, the Grenada Board of Tourism, its target markets for visitors will be the USA, UK, Europe and the Caribbean.

Without disclosing too much details about the rebranding initiative, Otway-Noel said that among the priorities of the Authority is a rebranding campaign for Grenada that will focus on its many attractions to visitors and at the same time focus on the message of improving the product and behavioural change for nationals.

“The Authority will be focusing on rebranding and repositioning itself for its new role with regards to Grenada as a destination of choice,” she said.

Head of Marketing, Sheldon Douglas, said that the objective of the rebranding is to get all involved as tourism is extremely important for the economic development of Grenada.

“We are going to live and breathe the new brand. We are going to get to the point where every Grenadian will be living and breathing that new brand,” he promised.

Vendors warned not to sell alcohol, drugs at school functions

AS schools prepare to host their annual track and field meets, Ministry of Education officials have issued a warning to vendors informing them that they can be jailed and be fined if they violate the National Schools’ Policy on Drugs on the compound of the events.

Officials of the Drug Control Secretariat said that the use, sale and distribution of alcohol and alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, hemp, controlled drugs or any mood-altering substances at any school function, including athletic meets, is a violation of the National Schools’ Policy on Drugs.

Vendors are also urged to be mindful that the sale of alcoholic drinks to minors is an offence under the Liquor Dealers’ Licenses, CAP 174, of Grenada. According to that legislation, the penalty for any person charged and convicted under that act is a fine of three thousand dollars and imprisonment for three months for the first offence and, for the second or any subsequent offence, to a fine of five thousand dollars and imprisonment for six months.

The Liquor Dealers’ Licenses Act makes it an offence to sell or deliver or supply or knowingly permit to be sold or delivered or supplied to any person under the age of 16 years any intoxicating liquor
(excepting such liquors as are sold or delivered or supplied in corked or sealed vessels for consumption off the premises only); or permit any such person to drink any intoxicating liquor on his or her premises.

Reminding athletes, coaches and other persons that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is detrimental to the health and performance of all persons, the Drug Control Secretariat, which is based in the Ministry of Education, said that research is showing overwhelmingly that alcohol use and athleticism do not go hand in hand.

“Alcohol can cause severe dehydration and staggering electrolyte imbalances. Dehydration can also lead to severe brain impairment and even death when coupled with extreme temperatures and intense
practices. Athletes that are dehydrated are at greater risk for injuries including cramps, muscle pulls, and muscle strains,” said a statement from the Ministry of Education. (LS)

Lawyer calls for review of Drug Act

By Linda Straker

Anslem Clouden, a well-known criminal lawyer in Grenada, wants to see the Government appoint
a Parliamentary Standing Committee to review the island’s Drug Prevention and Control Act with a view to making recommendations pertaining to the possession and use of marijuana.

“This piece of legislation is very draconian and the role of the Committee should be to recommend decriminalising for recreational use and legalising for medicinal use,” said Clouden, who has been advocating for the decriminalisation of marijuana for recreational use since 1992.

“Reading medical reports and research and other articles about marijuana use has enlightened my knowledge about its effective role in combating certain medical ailments and I strongly believe back then and is more so convinced now that Grenada needs to take that route of modifying its legislation,” he said.

Clouden, who has represented a significant number of persons charged with offences under the Drug Prevention and Control Act, said that a modification of that law will drastically reduce the prison population and at the same time provide opportunities for economic development.

“When you look at the data for persons who are sent to jail for marijuana possession, the state will benefit from modifying the law because less money from taxpayers will be spent supporting those who have committed those crimes. Marijuana possession is one of the crimes that are often before the Court, so can you imagine how other cases will be dealt with and in turn reduce the growing backlog,” he said.

Apart from a reduction in the prison population, Clouden is of the strong belief that “Grenada need to jump ahead” with legalising and decriminalising of marijuana because of the wider positive effect it can have on the tourism and pharmaceutical industries.

“One of our major markets is the USA market and I bet you the first country in the region to decriminalise marijuana will have an instant increase in tourist arrival from the USA. Once a tourist knows that it will not be against the law to smoke or use a joint for recreational or medicinal use, this will change the entire landscape. Grenada needs to see that opportunity and grab it, we need to cater for all,” said Clouden.

“Caribbean countries mirror a lot of what is happening in the USA, Canada and United Kingdom, and if you look at the international world, you are seeing all these new developments with regards to marijuana, so it’s just natural for our policymakers to follow. I firmly believe that the first country to jump that hurdle and modify the law will benefit tremendously in its tourism industry,” he added.

With regards to the pharmaceutical industry, Clouden believes that farms can be established to produce marijuana directly to the pharmaceutical industry.

“We supply raw nutmegs and cocoa to the international market; we should now consider supplying marijuana to the pharmaceutical industry. Marijuana is in demand and with research now being done with the herbs and if we can supply the raw material, we should grab the opportunity,” he said.

The former Grenadian diplomat said that marijuana is now becoming the base for a lot of value-added products and Grenada needs to put the structures and mechanisms in place to embrace and fully make use of the opportunities.

Former MP to be buried today

Less than one month after celebrating his 86th birthday on December 16, 2013, former Parliamentarian Dr. Raphael Fletcher died on January 9, 2014.

Fletcher, who was ailing for some time, served in Parliament as the representative for the constituency of the Town of St. George’s as the candidate for the New National Party (NNP) in the General Elections of 1995.

Former Parliamentarian, Dr. Raphael Fletcher.

He was first announced as a minister without Portfolio, but within months, he was appointed to serve as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Legal Affairs and Local Government. Fletcher was a physicist and university lecturer before entering politics.

He resigned from the Government during the  last quarter of 1998 and joined the Grenada United Labour Party, but his action resulted in the then Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, calling General Elections for January 19, 1999. This was the first time the NNP won all 15 seats in the Parliament, resulting in Grenada not having an official opposition for the first time.

His political life is known to have begun in the 1980 when he formed the Grenada People’s Movement. His last public political appearance was during the 2008 General Elections when he was on the campaign platform of the NNP. Since then, he has withdrawn from active politics and public life.

Fletcher will be buried today at the St. George’s cemetery following a tribute and funeral service at the St. George’s Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. As a former parliamentarian, the regulations provide for him to be afforded an official state funeral. (LS)

Restoring citizen security essential

CITIZEN insecurity is a multi-dimensional problem requiring co-ordinated effort at many levels to restore the public’s confidence and feelings of security.

So says President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Warren Smith, who was speaking to the recent Caribbean Commissioners of Police Inter-Sessional Meeting held at Divi Southwinds.

He pointed out that at the national level, the government, the private sector, labour, civil society, and the police must work closely to design and implement more comprehensive approaches to crime control and prevention.

“But crime has morphed into a global creature that transcends national borders. The power and wealth of the international crime syndicates with which domestic organised crime is now in partnership makes it difficult to overcome.

“Responding to this dilemma calls for a co-ordinated, strategic approach at the regional and global levels. CARICOM partners can leverage their limited resources by better sharing intelligence and exchanging lessons from experience,” he indicated.

The CDB head further acknowledged that partnerships should be cemented with civil society groups which monitor the activities of gangs and organised crime.

“Professional bodies, like yours, can also do their part by forging alliances with other regional and international associations, and by so doing, enrich the dialogue surrounding crime, citizen insecurity and criminal justice practices,” he expressed. (TL)