PM leads SVG delegation to Grenada’s Independence celebrations

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves headed an official St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) delegation to Grenada to take part in the independence anniversary celebration of that neighbouring country.

The delegation, which left SVG on Wednesday January 7, 2024, also included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Keisal Peters; Minister of Health, St Clair Prince; Minister of Urban Development, Benarva Browne; and Senator Shackell Bobb.

Speaking briefly at the Argyle International Airport prior to their departure Dr Gonsalves said the delegation was travelling to Grenada to celebrate the 50th anniversary with their brothers and sisters there.

Apart from Gonsalves, the Prime Ministers of St Lucia; St Kitts and Nevis; and Dominica were expected in Grenada for that country’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations with counterpart Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell and the people of the Spice Isle.

The Prime Minister and his delegation are not the only Vincentians who were celebrating with Grenada. Days before his delegation departed, a 27 member contingent from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Band left SVG to officially take part in the 50th independence anniversary celebrations there at the invitation of the Government of Grenada. The Vincentian police teamed up with their Grenadian counterparts for the Military Parade on Wednesday 7, the anniversary date.

The delegation is being led by the Band Master, Inspector of Police, Vaughn Miller.

While in Grenada, the Police Band has been engaged in several activities, a release from the RSVGPF states.

These included a concert on February 2, and Grenada’s 50th Independence anniversary ecumenical service on February 4. The SVG contingent also was part of the Guard of Honour on Tuesday February, 6, 2024 at a Special Sitting of the Grenada House of Parliament, and also at the Maurice Bishop International Airport for the arrival of the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo. They were also engaged in Grenada’s National Independence Parade on Wednesday February, 7,2024 followed by a rally and cultural extravaganza. The SVG Police Band contingent returns to SVG today, Friday 9, 2024 having wrapped up their eight day official visit yesterday with an island tour of the Spice Isle.

Grenada was the first OECS country to gain political independence from Great Britain on February 7, 1974.