45 Years of togetherness, prosperity, and perseverance

Independence Message from Her Excellency Dame Susan D. Dougan, GCMG, OBE, Governor General of St Vincent and the Grenadines

Fellow Vincentians, St. Vincent and the Grenadines became an independent nation 45 years ago on 27th October, 1979. To be an independent nation means that a nation has the right to self-determination through good internal governance, with no interference from external powers to influence or control the political processes or civil developments.

From the day St. Vincent and the Grenadines became independent, the government and people started to lay the foundation to create a modern democratic nation. They invested ideas, time, talent, and whatever resources were available to them to build a nation grounded in the supremacy of God, the rule of law, good governance, national security, human rights, morality, peace, justice, stability, and the well-being of all Vincentians.

Despite being an independent nation, we have sought necessary assistance from friendly countries whenever the need arose, as all nations do from time to time. Seeking assistance from a friendly nation does not diminish the independence of a nation, but rather it helps to build peaceful and friendly co-existence among nations.

If we are to be honest with ourselves, we must admit that we have made magnificent progress in building a better St. Vincent and the Grenadines for ourselves based on the resources available to us. It certainly took the combined effort of our people for us to have made the strides we have made. We were able to put aside our differences, celebrate our heritage and our achievements, and acknowledge that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ours to protect and care for. We had no difficulty showing kindness to our neighbours, and through our trials and triumphs, we persevered in a spirit of solidarity and togetherness to build a brighter future.
The last few years have seen the country having to deal with the effects of two catastrophic events, those being the onset of COVID-19 and the volcanic eruption. Just when we thought the burden of those events had subsided, Hurricane Beryl came and reminded us recently of the unpredictability of nature. Hurricane Beryl left a trail of destruction, which the authorities had to address. When one thinks of the financial burden with which the government was faced within the last four years, then one can only imagine the strain that was placed on the Treasury’s purse. It will, therefore, be some time before full rehabilitation is achieved.

Fellow Vincentians, Hurricane Beryl reminded us of the stark realities of climate change, brought on by human activities through the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels. It is very unfortunate that the very products, such as fossil fuels, which provide us with a comfortable lifestyle in some respects, at the same time, help to cause our destruction.

Undoubtedly, we have witnessed a spike in criminal activity, which must be roundly condemned by every patriotic Vincentian. We must get to the root of the cause for such callous disregard for the sanctity of human life. We need to know what is going on in the minds of the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. Certainly, we have to rid ourselves of this scourge in our society.

Independence, therefore, does not mean that we are independent of each other. We have to work together and support each other in good times and during adversity. This is done through citizens working closely with the government to overcome challenges and to uphold the values that unite us.

However, despite many hardships caused by exogenous forces, on this Independence Day Vincentians have much to be thankful for. Our tourism industry, which faced many challenges, is now contributing in good measure to the nation’s prosperity. The Argyle International Airport has an increased number of flights weekly, due in part to the redoubling of efforts of persons involved in the industry. The opening of several world-class hotels has created employment for many Vincentians. The revitalisation of sports, along with the upgrading of sporting infrastructure, has now opened avenues for sporting personnel to excel. Despite the disruptions brought on by natural events, there is an ongoing development in education. Thus, as an enlightened nation sharing a common vision, we must not hesitate to promote and implement policies for living and production.

Fellow Vincentians, this milestone is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people- our commitment to progress, peace, and prosperity. Let us honour the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom, and celebrate the vibrant culture, natural beauty, and heritage that define us as Vincentians.

In the words of the famous poet Matt Starking, “In togetherness a nation is made…
Togetherness unlocks the potential to a nation united, prosperous and free.” Indeed, we have it in us to come together, shelve even temporarily our differences, and on a more regular basis, put our country first.
As we look ahead, may we continue to build a nation grounded in respect, inclusivity, and innovation. Together, we can forge a path of sustainable growth and social harmony for future generations. Mr. Dougan and I wish all Vincentians, at home and in the Diaspora, a Happy Independence Day.
May God bless our beloved country St. Vincent and the Grenadines!