Words fail to capture pain, loss of Clare Valley five – Dr Friday
News
October 18, 2022

Words fail to capture pain, loss of Clare Valley five – Dr Friday

LEADER of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday, has admitted that he had a difficult time preparing his tribute to be delivered at the funeral of the five men from Clare Valley who died tragically last month.

The Clare Valley five are Khalil Robin, Govanni Barker, Elvis ‘Logie’ Harold, Kenroy Phillips, Ishmael Dorrel Bruce, who died in a vehicular crash on September 11 while on their way to attend the funeral of Owia resident, Rohan “Charla” Rawlins.The funeral service of the five men was held on Sunday, October 16 at the Clare Valley playing field, attended by hundreds of people.

OPPOSITION LEADER Dr Godwin Friday

“I know politicians like to talk, and even so I found myself lost for words because what do you say to family members who have just lost a loved one unexpectedly in such painful and tragic circumstances. Words fail you,” Friday said.

He described the tragedy as a “national matter”, adding that it was “impossible not to be moved” by the circumstances involving the sudden death of five young men.

Friday offered his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased, noting that a funeral of five is indeed an emotionally heavy occasion for the Clare Valley community.

The Opposition Leader lauded the families of the deceased for the courage and strength they have shown since the tragedy “even though their hearts were broken.”

  • FacebookComments
    • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    THE CARIBBEAN PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY (CARPHA) and the Small Arms Survey formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to enhance the effectiveness of arms and ammunition management and reduce the risks associated with illicit small arms and light weapons in the Caribbean region. This three year agreement reflects a shared commitment to addressing the multifaceted impacts of violence, illicit firearms, and crime on population health, health systems, and sustainable development, a CARPHA release dated December 5, 2025 states. By combining CARPHA’s public health leadership with the Small Arms Survey’s internationally recognised expertise in arms monitoring and security-related research, this partnership will expand regional capacity for evidence-based decision-making. Speaking at the signing ceremony, CARPHA Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, shared the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration. “Violence and firearm-related injuries present a growing public health challenge for the Caribbean. This MoU allows us to strengthen surveillance, generate robust research, and support our Member States through data-driven policies that protect lives and improve community well-being.” Representing the Small Arms Survey, Dr. Nicolas Florquin, head of data and analytics, welcomed the partnership as a strategic step toward enhancing the region’s response to security threats. “We are proud to deepen our relationship with CARPHA. It has been a great privilege to partner with the leading regional Agency on public health, in a fruitful collaboration since 2023. We look forward to deepening the cooperation through this agreement.” Under the MoU, CARPHA will contribute its operational expertise in regional health surveillance, while the Small Arms Survey will complement this with its robust policy engagement, technical assistance and capacity support to national institutions, as well as its recognised expertise in evidence-based research, data generation and the development of tools that inform and improve policy and practice. The primary objectives of this partnership include: Data collection and surveillance- Collaboration on integrating firearm-related injury and mortality data into national and regional health surveillance systems. Research, analysis and public policy: Preparation of joint studies on the health burden of firearm violence. Capacity Building: Development of materials and delivery of workshops for Ministries of Health, Justice, Legal Affairs and Security on applying a public health lens to firearm policy. Policy Translation and Advocacy: Provision of support to CARICOM, national governments, and international development organisations for evidence- based policymaking on gun control and violence prevention guided by the public health approach. Communications and Public Awareness: Facilitation of the use of research findings in communication products for policymakers and the public. CARPHA said this partnership underscores its commitment to advancing regional health security, while supporting Member States in creating safer, healthier environments for all Caribbean people. The Small Arms Survey is a centre for applied knowledge dedicated to preventing and reducing illicit small arms proliferation and armed violence. It is an associated programme of the Geneva Graduate Institute, located in Switzerland.
    Press Release
    THE CARIBBEAN PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY (CARPHA) and the Small Arms Survey formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to enhance the effectiveness of arms and ammunition management and reduce the risks associated with illicit small arms and light weapons in the Caribbean region. This three year agreement reflects a shared commitment to addressing the multifaceted impacts of violence, illicit firearms, and crime on population health, health systems, and sustainable development, a CARPHA release dated December 5, 2025 states. By combining CARPHA’s public health leadership with the Small Arms Survey’s internationally recognised expertise in arms monitoring and security-related research, this partnership will expand regional capacity for evidence-based decision-making. Speaking at the signing ceremony, CARPHA Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, shared the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration. “Violence and firearm-related injuries present a growing public health challenge for the Caribbean. This MoU allows us to strengthen surveillance, generate robust research, and support our Member States through data-driven policies that protect lives and improve community well-being.” Representing the Small Arms Survey, Dr. Nicolas Florquin, head of data and analytics, welcomed the partnership as a strategic step toward enhancing the region’s response to security threats. “We are proud to deepen our relationship with CARPHA. It has been a great privilege to partner with the leading regional Agency on public health, in a fruitful collaboration since 2023. We look forward to deepening the cooperation through this agreement.” Under the MoU, CARPHA will contribute its operational expertise in regional health surveillance, while the Small Arms Survey will complement this with its robust policy engagement, technical assistance and capacity support to national institutions, as well as its recognised expertise in evidence-based research, data generation and the development of tools that inform and improve policy and practice. The primary objectives of this partnership include: Data collection and surveillance- Collaboration on integrating firearm-related injury and mortality data into national and regional health surveillance systems. Research, analysis and public policy: Preparation of joint studies on the health burden of firearm violence. Capacity Building: Development of materials and delivery of workshops for Ministries of Health, Justice, Legal Affairs and Security on applying a public health lens to firearm policy. Policy Translation and Advocacy: Provision of support to CARICOM, national governments, and international development organisations for evidence- based policymaking on gun control and violence prevention guided by the public health approach. Communications and Public Awareness: Facilitation of the use of research findings in communication products for policymakers and the public. CARPHA said this partnership underscores its commitment to advancing regional health security, while supporting Member States in creating safer, healthier environments for all Caribbean people. The Small Arms Survey is a centre for applied knowledge dedicated to preventing and reducing illicit small arms proliferation and armed violence. It is an associated programme of the Geneva Graduate Institute, located in Switzerland.
    Webmaster 
    December 19, 2025
    THE CARIBBEAN PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY (CARPHA) and the Small Arms Survey formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Unders...
    SVG reaffirms commitment to ALBA-TCP
    Press Release
    SVG reaffirms commitment to ALBA-TCP
    Webmaster 
    December 19, 2025
    THE GOVERNMENT of St.Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), has reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, integration and complementarity within t...