West Indies great Joel Garner, Central Bank Governor among Independence Day honourees

National honours will today be conferred on more than 60 outstanding citizens and international partners who have made significant contributions to the country’s development and global reputation, as part of the 2025 Independence and Republic celebrations.

The awards span the highest levels of national recognition, celebrating excellence in fields such as healthcare, economic reform, humanitarian service, national security, and acts of bravery.

Three Barbadians have been awarded the Order of Freedom of Barbados for distinguished and extraordinary service: legendary West Indies fast bowler and administrator Joel Garner, Governor of the Central Bank Dr Kevin Greenidge, and healthcare and business leader Dr Kurt Lambert.

More specifically, Garner is being recognised for “his outstanding leadership as a distinguished sports administrator, sterling service to national cricket development and extraordinary contribution to West Indies and Barbados cricket as one of the greatest fast bowlers in history”.

Dr Greenidge was named for his “exceptional people-centred leadership in economic policy and central banking, and his outstanding transformative achievements in guiding reforms under the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programmes.

Dr Lambert is being recognised for “his exemplary leadership in healthcare, finance, and social investment, significant socio-economic achievements whilst pioneering major enterprises, and unwavering dedication to advancing impactful philanthropic initiatives”.

Meanwhile, former President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, will receive an honorary Order of Freedom award for his work in strengthening trade and investment ties between Barbados and the African continent.

Three recipients will receive the Order of the Republic: maritime and tourism leader George Fergusson, child protection and justice reform advocate Faith Marshall-Harris, and leading ENT specialist Dr Christopher Maynard. An honorary Order of the Republic is being awarded to non-national Yvonne Brewer for her decades of service improving long-term care and welfare support.

In one of the largest collective citations to date, 33 members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Core Implementation Team and the International Business Unit Economic Substance Team were jointly awarded the Gold Award of Achievement for their role in guiding Barbados off the FATF Grey List and EU Blacklist and ensuring compliance with international financial regulations.

The 24 members of the FATF team being awarded are:

• The Hon. Dale Dermont Marshall, S.C., M.P.
• Senator, the Most Hon. Reginald Farley, F.B., J.P.
• Dr Corlita Annette Babb-Schaefer
• Cyralene Benskin-Murray
• Casey Boyce
• Alicia Brewster
• Paula Cain
• Jennifer Clarke-Murrell
• Olivia Davis
• Mechelle Elie
• Annalee Gale
• Cheryl Greenidge
• Trevor Griffith
• Dacia Jones
• Rosina Knight
• Glenroy Nowell
• Estherline Oneal
• Amanda Osolo
• Maleka Prescod
• Tamiesha Rochester
• Shari Squires
• Kirk Taitt
• Nicole Denise Thompson
• Sonia Elizabeth Thompson

The nine International Business Unit Economic Substance Team members are:

• Senator Lisa Cummins
• Annie Aymes
• Crystal Ellis
• Rachel Howell
• Kevin Hunte
• Kevin Mayers
• Ishuah Moore
• Amelia Moore-Clarke
• Sheena Walcott

Five individuals will receive the Gold Trident of Excellence for exceptional leadership, including in religion, culture and business. They are:

• Dr Henderson Adrian Cummins, S.C.
• Oral St. Elmo Holder
• Evelyn Cecile Marita Humphrey
• Bishop Ezra Parris
• Dennis Worme

Another five are being awarded the Silver Trident of Excellence for major national contributions, including in the creative industries and social advocacy.

• Wendy Alleyne
• Carol Boyce, J.P.
• Ann Leacock
• Mary Vaughan
• Jennifer Weetch

Seven Barbadians will be presented with the Barbados Service Star for outstanding work in community and protective services.

• Shirley Ann Alleyne
• Wendley Carter, J.P.
• Ellenora Gill, J.P.
• Reverend Wayne Kirton, J.P.
• Jefferson Payne, J.P.
• Marva Eileen Sealy
• Norensia Marcia Emanuel, J.P.

Another seven are being awarded the Barbados Service Medal for dedicated national service across sectors. They are:

• Frank Batson
• Kevin Seymour Blackett, J.P
• Edwin Orlando Carrington
• Derek Jones
• Addison Lashley
• Patricia Rock
• Haldane Wiltshire, J.P.

Seven individuals will receive the Barbados Bravery Medal for risking their lives to save others in emergency situations, demonstrating exceptional courage and selflessness.

Four – Jelani Griffith, Reshelle Griffith, Rashad Jules, and Malique Springer- were involved in the rescue of 104-year-old Beryl Whitney from a building fire a year earlier.

Another two — Jeremy Payne and Roger Springer — saved four people who were in distress at sea off Queen Street, St Peter, in February 2024.

The final honouree in this category is Shawn Green, who saved his cousin, Petra Wilson, from a brutal attack by 10 dogs in June last year. (BT)