Festive flags and the cheers and screams of loyal Guyanese living in Barbados, paved the way for President David Granger’s meet and greet on Sunday morning at Bubba’s Sports Bar, Hastings, Christ Church. The breakfast event was organised by Dr Carol Williams and Joy-Ann Hooper-Beckles, founding members of the Guyanese Association of Barbados, as an opportunity for the Guyanese diaspora here to hear from and speak to the recently elected leader.
As soon as the presidential entourage was spotted approaching the venue, the crowd began to sing the national anthem of Guyana – and made every effort to capture both the man and the moment.
In brief, but fiery remarks before breakfast, President Granger expressed great pleasure at being able to attend the reception, and used the example of the vibrant Guyanese diaspora in Barbados as an example for why regional integration was important.
Tracing his own roots to Barbados through his grandfather Prince Albert Granger, he added: “I don’t see any difference between Bajans and Guyanese. The affinities between these countries were so great that we had a joint high commission in London . . . ,” he said to loud applause.
“We need the integration movement because if we are divided, people will pick us off one by one.”
He also pledged that in working together, the country’s economy could grow to become “one of the strongest in the world. We are a gifted people and we have to come together and that is why we must put so much emphasis on the integration movement.”
This Caribbean integration has also informed the region’s stance on the border dispute between the Guyana and Venezuela, Granger added.
“This is where our trade passes through, this is where we do our fishing… This is an important element of our economy and we cannot let it go . . .[and] the Barbadian government is 100 per cent on our side.
“We will take control of our resources, our timber, our gold, our diamonds, our bauxite, our petroleum and make sure that Guyanese will never have to be poor again,” Granger said.
One of the attendees, Philip Alleyne said he went to the meet and greet to see the president since he was unable to return to Guyana for the elections.
“My foreparents also came from Barbados to Guyana, so I was able to identify with that aspect. I also agree with him on regional integration. I believe if we do what we preach, the Caribbean would be a force to be reckoned with,” Alleyne said.
Gwendolyn Hinds, who was in the island for three months of a six-month stint, believed Granger would do well because she saw him as a “man of God.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge also spoke to the robust gathering, and said that the new government would try to include the diaspora in its policies. He also pledged smoother lines of communication and a stronger climate for investment in the country.
“In fashioning policies at home, we will ensure that the environment is one where you would want to invest in our businesses and other activities… and the framework is one that will allows you to do it with ease and in safety,” he said.
Dr Williams, the main organiser of the event said it was pulled together in less than 24 hours, but it was important that the President had an opportunity to speak to Guyanese living in Barbados. She said she took the initiative to personally make contact with him and invite him to breakfast at Bubba’s.
She said the President, who referred to her as his “new best friend,” was “very down-to-earth and accommodating.”
The breakfast reception lasted an hour and a half before Granger sped off to the airport for his flight back to Guyana.
Earlier, Granger had worshipped at the St Matthias Anglican Church, which is close to the Hilton, where he stayed. (MSI)
