Grenada's independence

33 yrs

2007 Independence Message by

Prime Minister Dr. The Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

Fellow citizens, it is with delight and humility that I wish you Happy Independence on our country’s thirty-third anniversary.

As we commemorate another year as an independent country, it is fitting that we look back. In reflecting on of our history, we must recognise those who came before us and championed the cause which has led us to where we are today.

Today we give thanks to God for keeping us united as a people focussed on the task of nation building. Let us take a moment to reflect upon the heroes in our individual lives; those who give selflessly; those who lift us when we are down and comfort us when we are sad - our mothers and fathers, our teachers, our grandparents, community and church leaders.

Sisters and Brothers although we have gone through very trying times, formidable challenges still lie before us. However, there has been significant advancement in rebuilding the Nation.

Government has spent well over 86 million dollars building and repairing thousands of homes for the most vulnerable families. We have spent close to 82 million dollars rebuilding our schools so that our children can have a comfortable learning environment. Over 60 million dollars has been spent on community centres, health centres and public buildings. And fifty nine million dollars on resuscitating and revitalizing our farms.

Therefore we endeavour to expand our social safety nets and develop programmes to bring the best standard of living to all our people.

We have also made considerable progress in revising outdated policies and developing new strategies. We can be proud that we now have national policies for agriculture, health, education, youth and an investment policy which is charting the way for Grenada as a preferred location for foreign and local investment.

I am pleased to announce that the first working Draft of Grenada’s National Strategic Development Plan has been completed. This policy embraces the rich heritage that nurtures community and family values, and guides the way for the continuance of peace, opportunity and an enhanced quality of life.

Today, it is with much optimism that we celebrate our 33^rd anniversary of Independence. I therefore use this occasion to urge you all to partake in our quest for success as this year promises to be one filled with unprecedented opportunities.

May God continue to Bless us All.

32^nd

Coat of Arms of Grenada

DESCRIPTION

The flag of Grenada was officially adopted on February 7, 1974.

Red is symbolic of courage.

Yellow of wisdom and warmth

Green of vegetation.

The left green triangle features a small nutmeg, the Isle of Spice.

The gold outer stars represent the six parishes.

The centered star represents the capital city of St. George's.

Other Flags of Grenada

Click here http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Grenada.html

Other Head of State: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_Heads_of_Grenada

Promoting Growth, Stability & Poverty Alleviation

2006 Independence Message by:

His Excellency Sir Daniel Williams, Governor General

An anniversary is usually an occasion for some rejoicing. If it is a birthday, or a wedding anniversary we thank God for another year because we have no guarantee on life. At this our thirty second anniversary of Independence we have much for which we ought to be thankful. We have survived two Hurricanes in one year, the country is already recovering from those disasters and there is every indication that we will rebuild better.

This year of Independence is certainly one for reflection after those two traumas. On reflection we can easily conclude that we have made substantial material progress. For example we can see bigger houses and motor vehicles, the number of secondary schools have greatly increased, there are many more graduate teachers, the National College has advanced in leaps and bounds over the last two decades. We have seen many hotels built within that period as well as we have seen sports facilities expanded including in particular the Queen Park Sports Stadium.

We were progressing quite confidently when Hurricane Ivan struck us with a vengeance and destroyed the greater part of what we had constructed, and Emily was successful in opening some of the partially cured wounds that Ivan had inflicted on us.

Although there are people who have not yet been properly housed and others whose homes are not yet completely restored, I believe that who suffered will receive some help. Grenada today can be proud of its material recovery. However, I must draw this strong contrast between the material successes of our people and our peace and happiness. We find all is not well with how we behave towards each other. I recall a decade or two before our Independence, relatives and friends were friendlier with each other, fewer incidences of violent crimes of robbery, burglary and of people insulting each other; we cannot continue along the path where good and friendly behaviour is lagging behind material successes.

Everyone likes to be kindly treated, if each person is kind to the other person the country will rid itself of all unpleasant confrontations and unhappiness.

The concept of Independence suggests that you will not have to depend on someone for your sustenance. As a small country with limited resources we traditionally received outside economic support. Before Independence it came primarily through Britain, after Independence it came from donor countries and multiple Agencies such as: US Aid, European Union, Canadian Development Agency and the Caribbean Development Bank. Of course most developing countries need that sort of support, and even many developed countries are not as independent as they would wish to be. Among the developed countries some will have oil and gas, while others will have minerals, thus there is a certain measure of inter-dependence even among the developed countries.

When we were struck by the two recent Hurricanes our economic independence was really shattered. To appreciate the extent of the devastation, the loss to Grenada was more than the total earnings of every person together with the total production of everything in the country for any two years preceding the Hurricanes.

Our reconstruction is far from complete; but considering how desperate we were immediately after Ivan and how relieved we are today, we should be profound in thanking God, our Grenadian people and our friends regionally and internationally for our recovery. Each of us must now look forward to contribute to the building of a great Grenada.

This our thirty second anniversary is a good time for reviewing our young country, and as we move progressively forward let us endeavour to adopt as a principle, kindness to each other. I have enormous confidence that if in Grenada we accept the doctrine of kindness to each other we will progress from strength to strength and will be a happier and better country.

I wish all the citizens and friends of this country happy Independence.

2006 Independence Message By:

Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell Prime Minister

My fellow Grenadians, I greet you with a profound sense of pride as we celebrate another Anniversary of our Nation’s Independence. Today is a day to reflect on the bold and courageous steps taken by our Founding Fathers who paved the way for our accomplishments during the last thirty-two years.

Today is also a day to thank God for the strength and resilience that he has given to Grenada and its people and to acknowledge the many blessings and benefits he has bestowed on us. Let us offer up to Him our dutiful prayers and thanksgiving.

Sisters and brothers, we have gained our independence but in actual fact, we have become more interdependent and more interconnected with the rest of the world. A good example of this was when our Caribbean family, and our friends and supporters from outside the Region came to us willingly in our time of need after hurricanes Ivan and Emily. I thank them for their prayers and assistance.

I am especially proud of the hard work and resourcefulness of our people and institutions and of their dedication and commitment to rebuild a better Grenada.

Self-reliance and self-sacrifice were admirable strengths of our forefathers, qualities we should strive to preserve. So, while we appreciate the help of our friends, in the final analysis, we must accept fully the responsibility to help ourselves. "We Grenadians must work together and make the necessary effort and the vital sacrifices that are needed to take our country forward."

That, we must do while preserving and guarding jealously our democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the right to free choice and peaceful change of government, treasures we once lost but now cherish. This is not surprising because once the fruit of democracy is eaten, its taste is never forgotten...

Sisters and brothers let us on this day pledge to create a better Grenada. Let us dedicate ourselves to the preservation and improvement of democracy and to the education and development of our young people. Let us work together to stamp out the deadly evils of crime, drugs and terrorism. And let us resolve to show more compassion and generosity to the poor and needy. Finally, let us give our best in whatever we do and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

Happy Independence Day to all of you and may God bless you and our Nation.

In 1967 Grenada attained the position of "Associated State of the United Kingdom", which meant that Grenada was now responsible for her own internal affairs, and the UK was responsible for her defense and foreign affairs.

Independence was granted in 1974 under the leadership of the then EM Gairy, who became the first Prime Minister

Premiers

* Eric Gairy (1954-1956, 1958-1960)

* Herbert A. Blaize (1960-1961)

* George E. D. Clyne (1961)

* Eric Gairy (1961-1962)

* Herbert A. Blaize (1962-1967)

Prime Minister

* Eric M. Gairy (1974-1979)