As the country of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique celebrate its 50th year of independence, we offer our heartfelt congratulations. This beautiful country of some 133 square miles of sandy beaches, more rivers, exquisite waterfalls, and lovely mountains has excelled in so many ways and continues to have strong economic performance and growth.
The theme for this 50th Anniversary celebration is so appropriate – one people, one journey, one future — it talks to a resilient people, a journey that has not always been smooth-sailing but a people looking forward to a very bright future. In the words of the official song, “Grenada 50 – Up From Here”, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has struck the right chord in looking at the past, working in the present and building a strong future as the country looks forward to its celebration of 50 years.
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Grenada gained its independence from Britain in 1974 under the leadership of Sir Eric Gary who became the first Prime Minister of the country; but the list of founders of the country includes such public figure as Albert Marryshow Albert Marryshow and Herbert Blaize. Grenada has been blessed with strong leadership through its years of independence from Britain. In celebrating this significant milestone of 50 years of independence, Grenadians are taking the time to reflect on the journey as a nation and to look at its gain since its independence from British rule- and they have much to be proud of.
One of the areas that they have notable achievement has been Grenada’s economic growth; the country has diversified significantly moving from the traditional reliance on agriculture, particularly nutmeg and coco production, and today Grenada boasts a thriving tourism industry and visitors are flocking to the beautiful shore’s peace and tranquility and it’s politics that avoids turmoil.
The growth of tourism has not only boosted the economy but has created employment and business opportunities for many Grenadians. In celebrating the 50th anniversary we also look at the journey and the challenges one of which was of course in 1983 when U.S. Marines, on the order of U.S. President at the time Ronald Reagan, descended upon the shores of the country ostensibly to rescue the country from Cuba’s influence and to ensure Grenada as a democracy. it is ironic that the US went to Grenada to save democracy, but today we see thousands of people in the street, lawyers in the courts, legislation all over the country.
In the United States in the era of Donald Trump and Trumpism in the Republican Party, the US democracy is now considered to be in trouble. So what the fight was for in Grenada as per Reagan, it seems that that effort now needs to be in the United states for its own democracy. Through the independence period, Grenada has made significant strides in education and health care and the government is taking steps for even further improvement in these areas, so Grenada has much to be proud of.
Today, Grenada presents an admirable and reliable face to the rest of the world in spite of its challenges it has shown resilience and certainly it has also demonstrated essentially a picture of adherence to fair and free elections and that the government is moving towards a steady economic growth with little social disruption, absence of any real violence and a picture of a country with determination and showing real resilience in the face of the many challenges.
The track record is clear – Grenada has earned its keep nationally, regionally, and internationally- that explains why Grenadians have earned the respect of its neighbors and its partners in the Caribbean, Washington, Latin America, London, and Ottawa and elsewhere for its ability to look adversity in its face and overcome it.
We wish the people of Grenada and the Government of Grenada a Happy 50th Anniversary of Independence, Continued Development and Prosperity for the Spice Island of the Caribbean.
