Thanks, and congratulations

This is our last issue of the Midweek SEARCHLIGHT before our country celebrates its 46th anniversary of the reclamation of our national independence next Monday, October 27,2025.

It is therefore an appropriate opportunity to indicate our appreciation of all those who have contributed to our development over the almost half a century of our status as an independent nation.

Remarkably, as we celebrate there is a national conversation- not yet a debate we would say- over projections by Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, that our country is on the cusp of achieving “first world” status where the level of social development is concerned. Even before we examine the merits

or demerits of his assertion, it is remarkable that we are discussing this matter at all.

Those of us old enough to remember will recall that when we achieved independent status, we were at a level characterised by our first Prime Minister as “fourth world status”. The issue is not whether he, or his successor of today is right, what is undeniable is that we have made much progress over the years.

Perhaps not as much as some of us may wish, but significant progress undoubtedly.

Some who dismiss the claims of approaching “first world” status, are no doubt focussed on the old definitions that “first world” implies a high level of industrialisation, size of Gross Domestic Product and all that is associated with these markers. The “first world” claims are importantly different, based on the levels of human development factors; in other words, the quality of life. This must be borne in mind when we engage in this debate, for what is development if it does not revolve around people and their lives?

As we engage in this healthy discussion, it is important that we reflect on our 46-year long journey and give thanks and commendation to all those who have contributed in some way, great or small, to our development. Typically, we offer congratulations to our political leaders who, despite differences, have managed to maintain political stability over the years. Yes, we have had serious political differences but have always been able to settle our differences peacefully. Our developmental thrust has been greatly assisted by the international community, whether on a bilateral level as the examples of Taiwan, Cuba and Venezuela for example, or on a multilateral level, beginning with the OECS, CARICOM, United Nations and European Union agencies. These international contacts have been massively expanded on a global scale today. To them all, we say, Thank

You!

Thanks as well to all those who have invested in our economy, aiding in its expansion and growth, providing the opportunities for our development, There have been the foreign investors, especially now in tourism, underpinning our growth in this sector. But not for one moment must we ignore investment from our local private sector and especially, from the financial institutions, particularly the credit unions; a heat felt thanks as well.

A usually overlooked grouping has been the contributions of the non-governmental sector, the NGOs or Civil Society. These have contributed both on a national scale, for example in social programmes, but often in overlooked but valuable work in rural communities prominently, in times of disaster providing relief, recovery and resilience. They too deserve our appreciation. Above all, though, there have been the faith, love and contributions of our own daily, hard working people at home and the diaspora as well, many now in the slower lane since independence. We could not have reached where we are today without the hard work and sacrifice of our workers, of all categories, our farmers, fisherfolk and those who support the most vulnerable, the underprivileged, the physically or mentally challenged and disadvantaged. Our women deserve much praise for our post-independence progress. And how could we leave out our young people who have been responding magnificently to the opportunities being provided in education to equip them for the task of leadership awaiting them.

Finally, but not least, our religious bodies, providing spiritual guidance and in their own way contributing to our peace and stability. For all our heated political differences, we must also thank, Prime Minister Gonsalves and his predecessors for their seminal contributions. Let us give our country a round of applause, but also remember the words of calypsonian D Man Age, that we still “have a country to build”. Let us, therefore , not rest on our laurels.