T&T marks 37th Republic Day in Ghana
Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday commemorated the country’s 37th Republic Day in Accra to mark independence from its colonial masters.
Trinidad and Tobago gained Independence from British colonial rule on 31st August 1962 and became a Republic twelve years later on September 24, 1976.
The country is now acclaimed to be one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the English-speaking Caribbean and is listed among the top 66 High Income countries in the world, and one of the richest countries, with a per capita GDP of USD $18,000.0 as at September 2013.
Mr David Ronald Ramkissoon, Senior Economist of the Country’s Republic Bank, the country’s oldest and leading banking institution (176years) told Journalists at a media engagement in Accra to mark the day.
There would also be a cocktail reception to be attended by The High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, H.E. Mr. Nyahuma Mentuhotep Obika, who is based in Abuja, Mr. Hilton John Mitchell, the Honorary Consul of Trinidad and Tobago in Ghana, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, representatives of private sector organisations and Trinidad and Tobago residents in Ghana.
There will also be a performance by a Solo Steel Band artist, who will play the steel pan instrument, a traditional Trinidad and Tobago musical instrument.
Mr Hilton John Mitchell, said his country was a strong believer in South-South Cooperation and as a result has been a member of the Non- aligned movement, which Ghana has a proud tradition of membership.
“Once this moment is seized in the spirit of oneness then we can look forward to a bright future as a milestones such as today are molded in the spirit of South-South cooperation”, he added.
A delegation from the Republic Bank, which currently has 32 per cent shares in HFC Bank, led by its Managing Director, Mr. David Dulal-Whiteway, shared the bank’s success with the media.
Mr Ramkissoon said the bank had resolved itself in the economic life of Ghana and keeping with the charter of the Africa Union (AU) to foster and encourage greater intra-regional trade and economic integrity within the constituent regions of the AU.
Mr. David Dulala-Whiteway, Managing Director of the Bank, said it had won many international awards for outstanding contribution to the development of humanity, through personal participation in civic and philanthropic affairs and building successful societies.
“The marriage between the Republic Bank and the HFC Bank is a marriage between the strongest and the wealthiest nation in the Caribbean and one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and the world as a whole” he said.
Mr. Nyahuma Mentuhotep Obika said Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago have a shared relationship and close political and cultural ties rooted in history.
Trinidad and Tobago, he said, was committed to deepening the relationship between the two countries to enable both countries to explore opportunities for economic growth and the social development of their peoples respectively.
He paid glowing tribute to Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, George Padmore (Dr. Nkrumah’s Special Advisor on African affairs) and Dr Eric Williams, the first Prime Minster of Trinidad and Tobago for the immense contribution to Pan Africanism.
Dr. Eric Williams shared a close relationship with Dr Kwame Nkrumah as they each struggled for freedom for their respective countries.
George Padmore, who hailed from Trinidad and Tobago, is a well-known patriot in Ghana. He was buried in Ghana and the George Padmore library at the University of Ghana was named in his honour, in recognition of his contributions to development.
Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment destination for international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America.
In 1976, the country severed its links with the British monarchy and became a republic within the Commonwealth.
Source: GNA