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Tag: Ghana and Barbados

  • Barbados becomes a republic and parts ways with the Queen

    Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and become the world’s newest republic.

    In an overnight ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president.

    The Prince of Wales and Barbadian singer Rihanna attended the event, which coincided with the country’s 55th anniversary of independence.

    In a speech, Prince Charles acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” the Caribbean island suffered.

    The new era for Barbados ends Britain’s centuries of influence, including more than 200 years when the island was a hub for the transatlantic slave trade.

    To signify the official change of power, a final salute was made to the British monarchy and the Royal Standard flag was lowered and replaced.

    Speaking as the guest of honour at the event, Prince Charles reiterated the continuing ties between the two nations despite the constitutional status change.

    He described the moment as a new beginning before being awarded the prestigious Order of Freedom of Barbados by the new president.

    The Queen sent the country her “warmest good wishes” for “happiness, peace and prosperity in the future” and said the nation holds a “special place” in her heart.

    Dame Sandra Mason, 72, the island’s governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament last month. She now replaces the Queen as the head of state.

    “Vessel Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage. May she weather all storms and land our country and citizens safely on the horizons and shores which are ahead of us,” she said after being sworn in.

    Barbados announced its plan to become a republic last year, but it will remain within the Commonwealth.

    Prince Charles attends the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to mark the birth of a new republic in Barbados at Heroes Square in Bridgetown
    Prince Charles travelled to Bridgetown as a guest of honour at the ceremony
    Members of the Barbados Coast Guard remove The Queen"s Royal Standard flag
    The British monarch’s Royal Standard flag was taken down and replaced to mark the official change of status
    Rihanna (centre) attends the Presidential Ceremony in Heroes Square, Bridgetown
    Rihanna was declared a national hero at the independence day event

    Leading national figures, including Prime Minister Mia Mottley, swore allegiance to Barbados in front of the new president at the ceremony, which lasted for several hours.

    She later announced that pop star Rihanna would be named a national hero by President Mason. The artist and businesswoman, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was previously named an ambassador by her home country in 2018.

    “May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation,” Ms Mottley said, in reference to one of Rihanna’s songs.

    Source: bbc.com

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  • Seven out of 12 Ghanaian nurses in Barbados reportedly recover from coronavirus

    Seven out of the 12 nurses who tested positive for COVID-19 since arriving in Barbados on July 30 have recovered.

    The other five are still being treated in a facility at Harrison Point, St Lucy while another who tested positive for Malaria has been discharged.

    This update was provided by Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, Dailymailgh.com can confirm.

    All 95 nurses, according to Dr. George, are deemed to “have completed three consecutive weeks of quarantine and have been certified COVID-19 free by the Ministry of Health and Wellness”.

    He said that the nurses had moved out of the quarantine facilities and into private residences, and the process of orientation and registration with the Nursing Council of Barbados had begun.

    Background

    A total of 95 nurses from the West African nation are in Barbados on a two-year assignment, in response to outreach by the Barbados Government for specialist nurses to bolster the nursing complement in the public health sector.

    They will be attached to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Geriatric Hospital and the polyclinics.

    During her visit to Ghana Prime Minister Ms. Mia Amor Mottley said the importation of the nurses was one of the most important things for the Barbadian government, stressing that “we have to complete this in order to guarantee quality health care we want for our citizens.”

    She said the shortage of nurses in Barbados could take a number of years to fill, especially due to the number of years it took to train them, adding that “I raised it with the President and he immediately, in a press conference in Barbados, announced that Ghana would assist and provide the nurses.”

    Source: Daily Mail

  • 95 Ghanaian nurses touch down in Barbados

    Ninety-five Ghanaian nurses have arrived in Barbados to begin a two-year contract in the Caribbean nation.

    They arrived in Barbados on Thursday evening via a chartered flight.

    The Ministry of Health in November confirmed that 120 Ghanaian nurses had been selected to serve a two-year contract in Barbados under a Human Resources Agreement between the two countries.

    The total cohort at the time included 12 cardiac care nurses, 21 critical care nurses, eight emergency room nurses, six operating theatre nurses, three ophthalmic nurses and 70 registered general nurses.

    About 600 nurses had applied for a programme to serve at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados.

    “This is a momentous occasion in several ways. In spite of the challenges that would have confronted us over the last several months to get to this point, the moment has finally come and I want to say it is a pleasure, the Barbados Minister of Health, Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic said on their arrival.

    “You have arrived in Barbados at a very, very opportune time because like you are aware, we are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

    The Ministry together with officials from Barbados conducted a series of interviews for 150 shortlisted applicants before arriving at the final number for the Barbados nursing job.

    The Barbados nursing job initiative spawned from President Akufo-Addo visit to the Caribbean Island for bilateral talks with the Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley.

    She expressed the need for Ghanaian nurses to solve its shortage of professional nurses in hospitals in the country.

     

    Files from barbadostoday contributed to this report.

    Source: citinewsroomÂ