• Latest
Open letter to Prime Minister Mitchell of Grenada

Open letter to Prime Minister Mitchell of Grenada

2 years ago
Party boat crew members detained following assault of sportsman Anderson Peters

Harbour Master arrested as part of civil proceedings

3 hours ago
Tanteen Road Closes At Noon

Road Closure: Carenage Public Road

3 hours ago
Tropical Weather Outlook: Friday, 12 August 2022 (2 pm)

Tropical Weather Outlook: Friday, 12 August 2022 (2 pm)

4 hours ago
RGPF

Hermitage man fined for tampering with clamp

5 hours ago
CEO at MNIB resigns 

CEO at MNIB resigns 

6 hours ago
Statement by Minister Simon Stiell at Ministerial Roundtable on Climate

Simon Stiell set to be appointed UN climate chief

8 hours ago
Ministry of Culture to finance Groovy/Soca finalists’ stage presentations

Minister for Culture congratulates carnival winners

8 hours ago
MNIB postharvest handling training

MNIB announces CEO’s resignation

9 hours ago
Harbour Master statement on the incident involving Anderson Peters

Harbour Master statement on the incident involving Anderson Peters

1 day ago
Kirani, Anderson and Victor shine at World Champs 2022

Significant number of people involved in investigation

1 day ago
No Holiday for Carriacou Carnival

Statement on altercation involving Anderson Peters and others

1 day ago
Tropical Weather Outlook: Thursday, 11 August 2022 (2 pm)

Tropical Weather Outlook: Thursday, 11 August 2022 (2 pm)

1 day ago
NOW Grenada
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Open letter to Prime Minister Mitchell of Grenada

This story was posted 2 years ago
21 December 2020
in OPINION/COMMENTARY
5 min. read
Ron Redhead
Share

Dear Prime Minister Mitchell,

I greet you with both compliments of the season and my concerns regarding issues of national importance.

The contents of this letter will be open to the public in keeping with my responsibility as a former parliamentarian to promote transparency in public life and our national affairs. It is crucial that when one opposes public policies that the entire nation be aware and not just a few. In this practice, constructive national debates will emerge, and the democratic process is ultimately strengthened.

My initial concern involves the apparent threat to our nation at this time, Covid-19.

As a youth, I must express the anger and frustration of my generation towards this administration’s lack of creativity and innovation in seeking to develop and enhance alternative sectors other than Tourism. While we can both agree that the Hospitality industry provides an opportunity for many, the constant reliance upon this sector to lead the development in a third-world nation is overrated as we have witnessed time and again the extent of its vulnerability towards external shocks.

One such shock is the Covid-19 Global Pandemic. I congratulate Grenada for so far maintaining “officially” no Covid related deaths. While I am pleased about this, I must say to the contrary, that I am not aware of any testing at the morgues to conclusively determine if this is a fact. The recent spike in cases hints to community spread and to what extent, we are not apparent. Your administration’s lack of transparency has also contributed to national confusion and limited credibility of the information scantly reported in the past by the Covid-19 Committee.

The lack of a broad-based committee or department solely to manage this health crisis is evident as the current committee is made up primarily of New National Party sympathisers and supporters stretched beyond their limits. Such a committee requires more professionals and individuals with the technical capacity to operate independently of political influence. The perception is that you are more interested in patting yourself on the back with international praises as opposed to ensuring that the public is reliably informed and engaged when a new situation arises with the outbreak.

Therefore, it is essential to note, while national unity is necessary during this phase, it cannot be plucked from the sky or used only when convenient. The pandemic is a national concern, and anyone or group that can contribute to the national effort must be allowed.

My subsequent concern is of our international relations with major foreign powers.

It is no secret Prime Minister that a majority of Grenadians are not comfortable with the nature of the recent economic assistance given to your administration at this time from the People’s Republic of China. Grenadians have questioned whether this particular loan is relevant for the times or will this be a means to cede the Maurice Bishop International Airport to the Exim Bank of China.

Answers by your administration so far have been limited and well-rehearsed but never addressing the growing influence locally of our powerful Asian neighbour. While I withhold my views on the topic, I must note, that the viewpoints emanating from underground sources mentioned the threat of a future geopolitical situation. The camp at La Sagesse comes into question as to the real intent of the Chinese. Will this be the infrastructure for a future military base? This particular point in St David seems independent of our country and operates separately. Do we have sufficient checks and balances at that location?

These concerns, as far as I can see, are genuine and are enhanced when combined with the conversation of our airport upgrade. According to your administration, MBIA will receive an additional and extended runway. The question is on what basis was this decided? will such an upgrade allow for military cargo to land? To my best knowledge, China’s negotiations are not aggressive but allow for the second party to have the final say on options they provide based on a request. If this was the case, why did your administration choose an airport upgrade over a new hospital? What are the exact benefits at this time of a loan to upgrade our international airport?

Another area that foreign influence is of concern to me has to do with our Oil and Gas potential not for the nationality of the businesses involved, but for the secrecy on the Government’s part. About one year ago, I reached out to the Russian company GPG for information regarding their progress in our sector. Their response was interesting, and I questioned whether or not Grenada truly made any progress with this sector as you outlined in the 2018 campaign season. The reply to my questions in the senate by the Leader of the Government’s business, was also telling. The National Gas company of Trinidad and Tobago signed an agreement with GPG without Grenada, and I would like to know why. Does Grenada still own its resources? What role is Guangzhou, the Chinese company, expected to play?

My final area of concern is related to the Imani training programme.

Despite the many opportunities to improve the youth situation, your administration is yet to demonstrate a clear upward path towards genuine youth development. Your current flagship programme referred to as the New Imani is still unable to show substantive progress for the over $200 million spent to run the programme for many years. When will your administration allow for an audit to be conducted on the said programme?

The announcement of a $7 million transition component is another admission of failure for this policy to meet the needs of our youth. Your plan lacks independence from the political influence and depth in its purpose. We are therefore desperately in need of an alternative to the current path that you have kept us on. The dependence syndrome is removing our dignity as young people and you must be aware that a training programme does not provide job security. Why do you continue to expand the programme?

Mr Prime Minister, we cannot be satisfied with this type of leadership at this stage. The same old mindset will not cut it and the future of Grenada cannot be built upon handouts and dependence. Grenada will require a new order to restore its national pride and spirit.

Sincerely
Ron L Redhead

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
Tags: airportcoronaviruscovid-19hospitalimanioil and gasron redhead
Next Post
RGPF

No confirmed case of Covid-19 in RGPF

Comments 17

  1. Peter says:
    2 years ago

    Congratulation, well spoken!!!
    I am not a Grenadian, but I was floated a couple of years ago into this beautiful country and decided to stay. In the meanwhile I see so many things which are going wrong, but still see the possibilities this country and its citicens have, if they would be supported from a “honest” government. Small things which could be changed easly to improve the life of its citicens, if there would be a political will and support. Grenada and its wonderful people have the chance to be the pearl of the Caribbean. Take the youth, count on them, educate them, bring the country´s possibilities to their knowledge. I know so many young intelligent people here which are – lets say depressed (excuse me, its the wrong word, but english is not my native language) – because they have no real perspective. Grenada has the chance, it has the possibilities, people are willing, but certain things have to be changed from the top

    Reply
  2. CarlaB says:
    2 years ago

    Very Well said! The question as to why improve the airport and not the hospital is very relevant! And as for the Imani programme, I always thought that this is another way of keeping Grenadians under their power, no advancement, no real growth, no encouragement to educate oneself!

    Reply
  3. Kelvin Jaffier says:
    2 years ago

    I support this motions, which is based on truth and positive evaluation and thinking.

    Reply
  4. Jackie says:
    2 years ago

    You lot cannot wait to vote him back into power..grenada needs new leadership.I watch him last night this man cannot even pronounce his words..please Sir retire and give younger people a chance.

    Reply
  5. frederick says:
    2 years ago

    My brother you are right in calling out these joker
    Our country needs new leadership together let organize time for keith and his boys/girls to go beginning with st.mark
    Foward ever

    Reply
Next

Leave a Reply to Kelvin Jaffier Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.