Grenadian Minister praises staff support, looks forward to tenure

St. George’s, October 31, 2011 – Minister for Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development,  Hon. Joseph Gilbert,  is “extremely happy with the level of support’’ he has been getting from management and staff since taking up his new assignment at the Ministry about three weeks ago.

Mr. Gilbert was warmly received at the Ministry on his first day on the job, with staff putting on a “sumptuous welcoming breakfast.’’

Since then, Mr. Gilbert has been treated to several briefing sessions, and  said he is “looking forward to having as good a tenure in this new Ministry as I had in the Ministry of Works.’’

He held the Works’ portfolio for three years until an October 7 Cabinet reshuffle in which Prime Minister Tillman Thomas moved Mr. Gilbert to the Ministry for Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development. The new Minister for Works, Physical Development and Public Utilities is Senator Dennoth Modeste.

Among Minister Gilbert’s most recent briefing sessions was one held last Friday, October 28, with climate change negotiators, Dr. Spencer Thomas and Mr. Leon Charles. The two have been very instrumental in asserting Grenada's role as an important world leader on climate change matters.

Others participating in last Friday’s briefing with the Minister were Dr. Bill Hare, Technical Consultant to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Ms. Helen Roden.

Grenada currently holds the chairmanship of AOSIS and has been intimately involved in meetings of COP – the Conferences of the Parties – where assessment is done annually on progress being made in dealing with climate change.

Minister Gilbert is due to sit as chair for the group of countries in the upcoming COP 17 climate change negotiations and meeting in Durban, South Africa, later this year.

At the Durban meeting, the Minister will also sign an important bilateral agreement with Germany. Under the agreement, Grenada will receive five million Euros – about EC$19 million – in grant funds.

The money will be used to undertake several climate change adaptation projects in Grenada, starting next year.

These projects, according to Minister Gilbert, would be implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Germany's Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Left – right are Dr. Bill Hare, Dr. Spencer Thomas, Minister Joseph Gilbert, Mr. Leon Charles and Permanent Secretary, Helen Roden.


Source: Kareen Morain, Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade & Export Development.

Grenadian student named senior Duke at MSU

WICHITA FALLS, Texas, October 31, 2011 - Grenadian student, Frank D Alexander, was named senior Duke at Midwestern State University’s annual homecoming celebration. 

Mr. Alexander is a former employee of the Grenada Development Bank majoring in finance.  

He is also a member of the Financial Management Association and former treasurer of the Caribbean Students Association.  

Mr. Alexander was voted as the Homecoming Senior Duke for 2011 by fellow students. He is scheduled to graduate in May 2012.

Midwestern State University has had a very long history and tradition with its annual fall Homecoming celebrations.

The maroon and gold tradition continued this year with Homecoming 2011: The Greatest Game on Earth.

Local Yachtsmen Gearing Up for Prize Positions in Grenada Sailing Festival 2012

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, October 31, 2011 - Several of our strongly competitive local yachtsmen are already making plans to ensure they will be in contention in the 2012 Grenada Sailing Festival Camper & Nicholsons Racing Series. Spearheading the Grenadian entry is well known local business entrepreneur & tenacious racer Peter ‘Champie’ Evans with his fast Swan 48 Julia.  ‘Champie’ has been a regular and successful competitor in the annual event since it started in 1994, and in 2011 was in hot competition for the Cruising Class title right up until the last race. Once again in 2012 he will be pitting his tactical skills against Peter Morris and his crack Trinidadian crew in Jaguar, who not only won the Class title, but went on to take the prize of Overall Festival Winner.

Watch out for other local skippers and crews on the start line, including Richard Szyjan with Category 5, a regular entrant in the Racing Class; a crew from Grenada Marine in St.David’s with Apero, owned by Jason Fletcher and Jerry Stewart from Carriacou with his distinctive red hulled yacht Bloody Mary. Festival organisers are also hoping to have a dedicated Class for Carriacou Sloops, the traditional island vessels built in Windward.

The Festival’s international keelboat racing, the Camper & Nicholsons Racing Series, will be run from its Home Port and Race HQ at the company’s Port Louis Marina, and will be staged from Friday 27 January to Tuesday 31 January. As well as this strong local contingent, event organisers look forward to welcoming skippers and crews from neighbouring islands in the Region including Antigua, Barbados, Trinidad and St. Lucia to take part in what is building up to be a very strong international fleet. Check the Festival website www.grenadasailingfestival.com or follow us on Facebook for more news of yacht entries as they come in.

For the third year, the 2012 Grenada Sailing Festival will offer two week-ends of contrasting sailing action, with local boats from Carriacou, Gouyave, Grand Mal, Petite Martinique, Sauteurs and Woburn heading for Grand Anse Beach the following week-end 4 & 5 February, when the traditional Work Boat Regatta will take place as part of the island’s National Independence Celebrations. Grenada’s talented young sailors will also be demonstrating their skills to the crowd on Grand Anse Beach on Saturday 4 February, in a Junior Dinghy Sailing Championship organised by the Grenada Sailing Festival and Grenada Sailing Association, and sponsored by Budget Marine and Grenada Union of Teachers Credit Union.

Grenada Sailing Festival wishes to thank all its sponsors and supporters on board already for 2012: the Grenada Board of Tourism; Camper & Nicholsons Marinas; United Insurance; ScotiaBank; Mount Gay Rum with agent Bryden & Minors; Budget Marine; True Blue Bay Resort; The Moorings; The Victory Bar & Restaurant; North South Wines; SOL EC Ltd.; American Airlines; British Airways; Horizon Yacht Charters; Spice Island Marine Services; Island Dreams Yacht Services; Turbulence Ltd.; Steele’s Auto Supplies; Grenada Union of Teachers Credit Union; Grenlec; Mitchell’s Health & Wellness; Glenelg Spring Water; Spice Island Fish House; Marketing & National Importing Board and Country Cold Store.

PHOTO: 'Champie' Evans with Julia (Centre) in very tight competition with Peter Peake in Storm (Left) and Peter Morris in Jaguar (Right) in 2011 Grenada Sailing Festival action.

SOURCE: Grenada Sailing Festival

The Jason Roberts Foundation awarded Team London Grant

LONDON, UK, October 21, 2011 - The Jason Roberts Foundation is pleased to announce they have been awarded a grant from the Team London Small Grant Fund. The grant of £8,900 has been awarded to help fund the Foundation’s Stonebridge Volunteering Programme, which is being delivered from the Stonebridge Pavilion in Brent.

The Stonebridge Volunteering Programme seeks to engage 11 – 19 year olds in a wide range of positive experiences with the ultimate aim of creating 100 new volunteers who are actively engaged in their community. The project will include access to multi-sports, arts and youth work opportunities and will deliver a rolling programme of workshops and personal development courses which will include accredited and non-accredited training to enhance the skills of volunteers.

The main objectives of the Foundation in delivering this programme are to increase youth opportunities – raising aspirations and improving the employability of young people in the area, contributing to reducing crime by offering engaging activities which will provide alternatives for young people and developing a community based peer-led volunteering programme.

Jason Roberts, MBE – Chair of the Foundation said, “I am delighted that Team London has selected the Foundation’s volunteering project to receive this grant. Over the last 18-months we have been successful in securing a number of volunteers from the young people who attend our courses on the “Respect Brent” programme and the Foundation was keen to develop this further. With the backing from Team London’s Small Grant Fund we plan to engage a total of 100 young people in volunteering work in Stonebridge.”

About Team London

Team London is the Mayor’s ambitious programme to mobilise an army of volunteers across the capital to improve life in London through programmes that will reduce crime, increase opportunities for youth and improve quality of life by cleaning and greening London and building stronger neighbourhoods. Since 2008, the Mayor's programmes have galvanised tens of thousands of Londoners into action and Team London is now seeking to encourage an additional 10,000 volunteers by May 2012. Please visit  www.london.gov.uk/teamlondon for more information, to find and post volunteering opportunities, and to nominate your volunteering heroes for a certificate of recognition from the Mayor.

If you are interested in participating on the Jason Robert Foundation’s Stonebridge Volunteering Programmeplease email info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

For more information about the work of the Foundation please visit www.jasonrobertsfoundation.com 

Concrete poured on Dover Hard Court

HILLSBOROUGH, Carriacou, October 28th, 2011 - The first batch of concrete has been poured as work continues on completing the Dover Hard Court.

This project was initiated by the community group, Concerned Citizens of the Northern District over 10 years ago. It is now being completed by the Community Development Division within the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs.

The construction of the court is a welcome change for young and avid basketballers, who now play the sport in the road.

Plans are already being made for the first basketball game to be played upon completion of the court.

Meanwhile, another project of the Community Development Division making steady progress is the construction of 300ft of concrete road in Petite Carenage.

SOURCE: Deanna Isaac, PRO

Road Construction underway in Petite Martinique

HILLSBOROUGH, Carriacou, October 28th, 2011 - The Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs is pleased with progress on a small community project in Petite Martinique that is employing nine workers.

Senator George Prime, along with Acting Permanent Secretary Javan Williams, recently visited Petite Martinique and toured several communities, including Madame Pierre where 450ft of concrete road and drains are being built by Rohan Thomas Construction.

Sen. Prime promised that Government, through the Public Works Division of the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, will continue to improve the road network throughout the twin islands.

In Petite Martinique alone, this year Government is spending more than $75,000 on road rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, to assist with the flow of water in an area known as Morne, a box drain has been constructed in the community. In addition, the Agriculture Division is cutting and clearing a round-the-island road.

Submitted: Deanna Isaac, PRO.

Grenada's Randy Lewis wants to be back for 2012

Grenada's ace triple jumper Randy Lewis speaks about his injury, recovery and preparation for the 2012 athletic season.

Grenada exits Pan American Games

Joel Redhead

Guadalajara, Mexico, October 26, 2011 - Grenada's Joel Redhead missed out on a qualifying spot in the Men’s 200m at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on Wednesday.

Redhead’s 21.60 seconds has been the fifth fastest among the non-automatic qualifiers and therefore was eliminated from the event.

In the Men’s 400m, Nery  Brenes of Costa Rica won in a personal best of 44.65 seconds, followed by Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic (44.71) and Ramon Miller of the Bahamas (45.01).

The games record of 44.45 set by Ronald Ray of the United States in Mexico City in 1975 is still intact.

Previous Updates:

Tuesday October 25, 2011

He is expected to do an x-ray to determine how serious the injury to his shoulder is. He received some shots for the pain. An initial diagnosis indicated that he has some torn ligaments in the shoulder.

Tuesday October 25, 2011

Lerone Clarke of Jamaica won the men's 100m in 10.01 seconds at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on Tuesday night. Clarke took advantage of a slight stumble on the blocks by Kittian Kim Collins who raced back to take the silver in 10.04 seconds. Emmanuel Callender of Trinidad & Tobago finished third in 10.16 seconds to ensure a Caribbean 1-2-3. On Monday, Collins set a new Games' record and season best of 10.00 seconds in the semi-finals.

Tuesday October 25, 2011

Grenada's two competitors in the 400m events in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico failed to qualify for their respective finals. Kanika Beckles finished 7th in 56.43 seconds in the second of two semi-finals in the women's 400m. Colombia's Yenifer Padila (51.76) and Norma Gonzalez (52.67) took the top spots in both semi-finals.

Keron Toussaint was also eliminated in the men's 400m when he jogged the last 120m after suffering from a dislocated shoulder. Ramon Miller of the Bahamas (45.40) had the fastest time while Williams Collazo of Cuba (45.70) and Chris Brown of the Bahamas (45.92), also among qualifiers for the final.

Pan American Games - Interview

Interview with Track & Field Coach Albert Joseph, Chef de Mission Abrel Patrick and athletes, Kanika Beckles, Joel Redhead and Keron Toussaint at the Athletes' Village at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on Tuesday October 25, 2011.
P.S. The video quality was affected due to the poor connection in Guadalajara.

Grenada to benefit from five million euros for climate change projects

St. George’s, 26 October, 2011 - Grenada is one of two countries that will benefit from five million Euros – approximately EC$19 million – in bilateral support for climate change adaptation projects from the Government of Germany.
German environmental specialists met with Minister of Environment Hon. Joseph Gilbert on Monday and have been meeting with various stakeholders (government and civil society) in Grenada to discuss project ideas and proposals and to hold a national stakeholder consultation.
The opportunity for bilateral funding first presented itself at a climate change meeting held recently in Panama City, Panama, where Grenada was selected along with Mali as one of two pilot study countries.
Support to Grenada came because of its current position as Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
The German scoping mission is following up on initial contact made in Panama, to identify in an inclusive, party driven manner adaptation projects that are “on the ground”, "visible" and most importantly "sustainable" that both governments through their Ministries of Environment could support.
Pertinent “adaptation” projects to address issues relating to the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable sectors in the Tri-Island state will be discussed and crystallized into projects to be implemented through the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and Germany’s Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). Cross cutting issues like capacity building, environmental awareness and education will also be discussed.
UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives. GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.
The Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development has been working in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize the meetings and gather feedback.
The mission is headed by Mr. Michael Scholze of GIZ and includes Ms Diana Salvemine (UNDP Adaptation specialist); Dr Bill Hare and Ms Henrike Doebert (Climate Analyst), Dr Renold Murray (UNDP) and Ms Margit Potgieter (Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Grenada).

PHOTO: Minister for the Environment Hon Joseph Gilbert flanked by Ag. Permanent Secretary Helen Roden, Ministry of Environment Staff and German Environmental Officials

SOURCE: Kareen Morain, Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade & Export Development

Foreign Ministry responds to Grenada debt questions

File Photo: Finance Minister, Nazim Burke

by Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff Reporter

TAIPEI, October 27, 2011 - The government did not get involved in a recent request from Grenada to defer debt repayment because the matter was handled by the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China, the state-owned bank charged with implementing state policy in trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

Director-General of the Department of Central and South American Affairs Wu Chin-mu (吳進木) said the ministry was “in no position to intervene in the matter” because the loan in question was “commercial.”

Asked why the government renegotiated a debt repayment plan with Haiti to help it recover from an earthquake in January last year, Wu said Grenada, unlike Haiti, is not a diplomatic ally.

The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the government of Grenada had warned that “aggressive efforts” by Taiwan to collect a US$28 million ruling would hurt the tourism-dependent economy of the Caribbean island.

In an interview with the wire agency on Monday, Grenada Finance Minister Nazim Burke said cruise operators and airlines could halt operations in Grenada after receiving legal papers filed by US lawyers working for Taiwan compelling them to turn over any money they owe Grenada in fees or other payments.

Already, one cruise operator has threatened to cancel its 20 stops in Grenada until next year as a result of the effort to seize port fees.

“If this was to happen, we stand to lose millions,” Burke was quoted as saying.

The dispute centers on loans provided by the Export-Import Bank for a variety of infrastructure projects in Grenada in the 1990s, the report said.

Grenada officials have said they could no longer pay the loans because of a number of shocks to its economy, including the devastation from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and the drop in tourism following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the US, it said.

Taiwan filed suit in a US District Court for the Southern District of New York and won a summary judgement in 2007 that has grown to about US$28 million with interest and penalties, nearly the total value of its exports of goods in 2009, the report said.

The report quoted Paul Summit, a lawyer for the Export--Import Bank, as saying that Grenada has not paid any of the principal or interest on the judgement and that the bank is “pursuing a number of lawful avenues to achieve collection.”

Officials in the Caribbean nation have said Taiwanese officials refused to renegotiate the loans because Grenada had severed diplomatic relations in favor of China, it said.

Contacted by telephone yesterday, Wang Chi-chung (王吉忠), a spokesperson for the bank, would not comment on the matter.

“Any information about loans between the two countries pertains to state secrets,” Wang said.

“As a public servant, I can’t reveal any confidential information,” Wang said.

SOURCE: Taipei Times

Nazim Burke TTPP 26Oct2011 by mikebas

Grenada's Phillip to lead AWC in NJCAA Football Semis

Shanon Phillip

by Michael Bascombe

YUMA, Arizona, October 26, 2011 - Grenada’s Shanon Phillip will lead the Arizona Western College in a semi-final game against Pima Community College on Wednesday in the NJCAA Men’s Football Division 1.

Phillip, who is the captain of the AWC’s Matadors, is hoping that his team could make it all the way to the final and retain its title.

Phillip, a defender, played for St Mark’s Secondary School and Hurricane FC in the domestic competitions and was also a member of Grenada’s 2011 Gold Cup team.

It’s the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the Matadors have qualified for the postseason, and it’s the second straight year that the Matadors have won the right to host the second round of the postseason by virtue of clinching one of the top two spots in the conference.

It will also be a rematch of last year’s Region 1 Final, which the Matadors won in Yuma, 2-0, to win their first-ever Region 1 Championship.

Trade Minister Optimistic Export Sector Could Experience Growth

L-R Hon. Joseph Gilbert, 
Ag. Permanent Secretary Helen Roden;
Trade Officer, Aarona Moses
and Ag. Director of Trade Junior Mahon

St. George’s, October 26, 2011 – Grenada’s new Minister for Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development, Hon. Joseph Gilbert, is amazed that not much has been done to get Grenada and other Less Developed Countries (LDCs) of the Caribbean Community to access and make use of the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme made available through the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA).

Minister Gilbert made the observation after participating in a meeting with a three-member consultancy team from A-Z Jamaica Limited. The consultancy company has been contracted by the CARICOM Secretariat to conduct a Consultancy to Design a Programme for Development of Protected LDC Industries. The team comprised Dr. Noel Watson, CEO, Bryan Aikman BSc., EMBA, and Janette M. Lodge, Chartered Accountant.

The money from the Caribbean Export is in the form of grants, Hon. Gilbert explained. "But what came out clearly from the meeting,'' he revealed, "is that the information about the existence of such a fund has never reached our manufacturers.''

“Manufacturers,” Minister Gilbert argued, "have been kept in total ignorance of the vast potential that is available through this CARICOM initiative to help improve their business opportunities, especially in the areas of product development and export market.''

The team of consultants has been charged with putting together a strategy that would foster the development of these industries and implementation of Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas in CARICOM’s Less Developed Countries (LDCs). The overall objective of Article 164 is to promote industrial development in CARICOM’s LDCs, including Grenada.

In 2006, the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) agreed to implement a tariff regime which was meant to protect the industries under Article 164. It was due to come into effect in 2006, but, according to the consultants, it has not been implemented by any of the LDCs to date. In addition, support measures and the necessary programmes for achieving competitiveness have not been implemented to facilitate the development of these industries as provided for in the Article.

"These are the sort of issues that the consultancy is required to identify and to recommend creative ways on how best to resolve them,'' said Dr. Watson, team leader of the consultancy team.

Minister Gilbert said that as the new Minister for Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development, he intends to help develop the productive sector in Grenada.

One way to do that, according to the Minister, is by providing the necessary leadership to ensure that Grenada takes full advantage of current technical and financial assistance available through CARICOM.

"It would not be business as usual going forward,'' pledged Mr. Gilbert, who served as Minister for Works, Physical Development and Public Utilities until October 7, 2011, when he was reassigned by Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas in a cabinet reshuffle.

Minister Gilbert is optimistic that Grenada's relatively weak export sector could see impressive growth in the next few years.

Over a period of three days, the consultancy team met with the various institutions that provide some measure of support to the Article 164 industries which included the Grenada Exporters Association, Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC), the Central Statistics Office and the Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development.

The team also met with representatives from the Article 164 industries in Grenada, which included water, furniture and aerated beverages.  The flour and industrial gases industries of Grenada have been selected to participate in the CARICOM pilot project to Design a Development Programme for Protected LDCs.  As part of their visit, the team made onsite visits to Caribbean Agro Industries and L&M Investments Ltd. to conduct in depth assessment of their business operations.

The overall objective of the consultancy is to contribute towards the reduction of economic disparities in CARICOM by increasing production capacity, and improving efficiency and competiveness of industries in the LDCs, particularly OECS countries.

The purpose of this contract is to support the development of selected, protected industries of the OECS into competitive entities through recommendation of an improved Community supported industrial development strategy, recommend changes in business plans, accounting systems and the identification of additional technical assistance requirements.

The expected results from this intervention are as follows:

·         An Inception Report on the preliminary findings of the consultant concerning protected industries in the relevant OECS Member States

·         A Draft Report which

evaluates the efficacy of the Article 164 application in the OECS confirms enjoying protection under Article 164.

o   recommends measures to enhance the efficacy of the application of Article 164 protection

o   on the basis of interaction at the level of the protected firms set out a programme and plan of action to enhance performance which may be considered in a CARICOM Development Fund Country Assistance Programming including:

§  changes in accounting and financial systems;

§  a strategy for mobilizing resources to assist protected firms;

§  a Programme for coaching and mentoring of selected firms;

§  a programme for acquiring international certification and exploitation of environmentally friendly technologies in production

§  objective indicators for evaluating the performance of protected firms within the context of Article 164

A Final Report which takes on board feedback from the beneficiary Government and firm as well as the CARICOM Development Fund.         

Grenadian swimmers ready to retain OECS Title

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, October 25, 2011 – The Grenada Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has announced a 34-member team to defend its title at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championship scheduled for St Lucia, November 4-6.

Grenada won the sub-regional championship for the fifth consecutive year when it was hosted in St George’s last year.

The national team comprises a number of experienced swimmers including medallists and participants from regional and international meets such as the Carifta Swimming Championships, Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships (CISC), Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships (CCCAN), and the Commonwealth Youth Games 2011.

GASA said that the team has been training regularly and is confident of retaining the OECS title in St Lucia next month.

GRENADA NATIONAL OECS SWIM TEAM 2011

FEMALE                                      MALE  

8 & Under                                   8 & Under
Ifeoma Cherebin                         Kris Regis
Idania Hopkin                              Nicholas John
Breann Alexander                       Jenebi Benoit
Meeka Ollivierre 


9-10                                               9-10
Kattie Lillie                                    Marco Bagnasco
Angelique Minors                         DelronFelix
Lily Sylvester                                 De' Andre Stephen
Enya Noel                                                                                     

11-12                                             11-12
Gabrielle Paparo                          Justin Steele
Simone La Qua                             Kerry Ollivierre                                                              
                                                                                                         
13-14                                              13-14
Oreoluwa Cherebin                      Corey Ollivierre
Valorie Andrews                          Shawn Gabriel                         
Kendra Moore                              Calum Noel                    
                                                        Patrick Postl

15-17                                              15-17
Kevlian Andrews                           Andrew Hopkin
Ayesha Noel                                  Kahlil John                       
                                               
                                   
18 & Over                                     18 & Over
Claire Morall                                 Esau Simpson
Inga Karasek                                  Martin Renwick
                                                         Chris Regis   

Coaches: Nataly Sihera and Michael Davidson
Officials:  Michellle Steele
                 Diana Hopkin   
PRO:        Pamela Cherebin 

Grenada Government to table National Sports Policy Bill

by Michael Bascombe
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, October 20, 2011 – The Grenada Government will tabled the National Sports Council Bill, 2011 for first its reading when the House of Representatives sits on Thursday.

The bill, when passed, is expected to create a framework for incentive reward and the guaranteed development of professional sporting personalities.

The National Policy on Sports and Physical Activity will give a new approach to national administration and coordination of sports with the restructuring of the Ministry of Sports and the operation of the National Sports Council.

Minister of Youth Empowerment and Sports Patrick Simmon said that under the new policy federation and sporting organisations will have to be better structured and managed, with proper accountability and transparency to relate to Government or in order to access government assistance.

He said that one of the hallmarks of the sports policy will be the collaboration with federations and organisations for the formulation of a comprehensive development programme for athletes from talent identification at an early age to professional development of world class competitors.

Mr Simmons said that among the priority areas under the new policy on sports and physical activity will include a national sporting calendar by the National Sports Council; organisation of a Grenada National Championships every two years and support to national federations for hosting year-round competitive events.

He said that there will be the development and implementation of performance incentive framework for athletes; provision of economic support to members of national teams and assistance to national athletes to secure jobs; development of the human resource capacity across a wide range of sport-related disciplines and a national policy on the use of prohibited substances as well as dealing with conflict resolution for sporting organisations and personalities.

Minister Simmons on To The Point Oct 19, 2011 by mikebas

Grenada's Maternal Mortality Ratio highlighted at Commonwealth Seminar

LONDON, UK, October 19, 2011 – The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that Grenada is among the three countries with the lowest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the world, followed by Japan and Mauritius.

There are 0 deaths to every 100,000 live births in the country, according to the WHO.

The information was highlighted at seminar in London which was attended by the High Commissioner for Grenada HE Ruth Elizabeth Rouse.

The High Commissioner was at the time giving the Commonwealth’s response to an address by Lord Nigel Crisp entitled “Can the MDGs be achieved without Women’s Health Taking Centre Stage?”, on Monday at the Commonwealth Secretariat Seminar: MDGs, Women’s Health and the Care Economy.

The Seminar was one in a series of strategic activities on the 2011 Commonwealth theme: Women as Agents of Change to highlight the role and contribution of women as change agents in the Health Sector. The seminar also placed emphasis on the importance of women’s health being critical for their empowerment as effective change agents.

The WHO statistics went on to elaborate that the contributing factors to low MMR include:

·         Improved access to health facilities and maternal care

·         Early risk detection

·         Multi-sector approach involving all Departments, Sectors and Ministries of health, education, public services, etc.

·         Midwives are extensively trained in record keeping, communication skills, monitoring and evaluation systems, and networking beyond nursing skills

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma delivered opening remarks and the event was chaired by Dr Sylvia Aine, Director, Social Transformation Programmes Division.

The High Commissioner for Grenada said that though Commonwealth member countries were striving to enhance women’s health with competing priorities, low budgets, migration as real challenges, she was indeed proud to share some good practices and the progress Grenada had made towards MDG -5.

In commenting on Grenada’s placement, Minister for Health, Senator The Honourable Ann Peters, praised the strong Community Programme which is undertaken in Grenada,   managed by trained midwives and health personnel.

High Commission for Grenada

London

October 18^th 2011

Photo: Lord Nigel Crisp; SG Kamalesh Sharma; HC Rouse

Credit: Commonwealth Secretariat

Ambassador Cuisia calls on Grenada’s Ambassador to the US

WASHINGTON D.C., October 18, 2011 – The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. paid a courtesy call on Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States Gillian M.S. Bristol.

Ambassador Cuisia is also concurrently accredited as ambassador to Grenada.

The two diplomats discussed opportunities to strengthen relations between the Philippines and Grenada.

Ambassador Cuisia also welcomed the assistance offered by Ambassador Bristol, who served for 15 years at the Organization of American States Secretariat, in broadening the Philippines’ engagement with the hemispheric group.

Ambassador Bristol committed to convey to the government of Grenada the Philippines’ request for support for the candidature of Mr. Miriam Defensor Santiago to the International Criminal Court.

SOURCE: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines

Jason & Otis Roberts nominated for Black List Award

File: Otis & Jason Roberts

LONDON, UK, October 18, 2011 - The Jason Roberts Foundation is delighted to announce that both Jason Roberts and CEO, Otis Roberts, have been nominated for this year’s football Black List Awards.

The Awards ceremony, which this year will be held at the offices of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games (LOCOG) in Canary Wharf London on October 26, recognises the contribution of the black community for achievements across all levels of football.

The initiative which was founded by journalist Leon Mann and Voice sports editor Rodney Hinds in 2008, is supported by the Football Association, the Professional Footballers’ Association, Kick it Out and the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS), and Horizon with The Voice Newspaper as a media partner.

What they said about Jason:

The Blackburn striker has revealed that his talents are not restricted to the pitch with his superb start as a presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live 606 phone-in. He is also a regular contributor to BBC World News Show Sports World Have Your Say. Not only is Roberts combining his burgeoning media career with the demands of professional football, but his Jason Roberts Foundation continues to go from strength to strength.

What they said about Otis:

The uncle of Blackburn Rovers striker Jason is the dedicated chief executive of the Jason Roberts Foundation, which is committed to providing sporting and cultural opportunities for young people in the UK and the Caribbean. Roberts’ commitment to grass roots football earned him a Barclays Community Sports Award at the start of the Premier League season.

The categories at the fourth Black List Awards ceremony will be media, commercial, administration, community and coaching/management. There will also be awards for off-the-pitch grassroots and the Keith Alexander award.

To view the entire list of nominees click on the link:

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/voices-black-list-revealed

For more information about the work of the Foundation visit www.jasonrobertsfoundation.com

Grenada Company shortlisted for 2011 Award for Corporate Excellence

by RTT Staff Writer

(RTTNews) - Thirteen finalists have been selected for the US Secretary of State's prestigious 2011 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE).

These U.S. companies were chosen from 62 nominations submitted by American Ambassadors around the world. ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens.

This year's finalists are Amway in China, ANOVA Food, LLC in Indonesia, Archer Daniels Midland Company in Paraguay, Cargill in India, General Motors in Uzbekistan, Grenada Chocolate Company in Grenada, Intel in Vietnam, Johnson & Johnson in Russia, Joy Global in South Africa, Procter & Gamble in Nigeria, Procter & Gamble in Pakistan, Sahlman Seafoods in Nicaragua, and Tiger Machinery in Russia.

The Secretary of State has awarded the ACE since 1999 to recognize American companies who are leaders in socially responsible activities and contribute to the overall growth and development of the local economy in which they work.

The State Department said in a statement on Monday that it is committed to working with business to further these best practices worldwide and to recognize efforts to improve lives at home and abroad.

The 2011 ACE winners will be announced at an annual ceremony hosted by the Secretary of State later this fall.