Barbados committed to connecting with Africa

Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Ryan Straughn has given the assurance that Barbados’ foreign policy efforts in Africa will continue as the island continues to seek out new business ventures in other territories.

He made the commitment recently while participating in the first session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland.

Giving a synopsis of Barbados’ efforts since attaining Parliamentary Republic status one year ago, Straughn stressed that the Government had determined to chart its own path through its Reclaiming our Atlantic Destiny Project.

In keeping with one of the project’s objectives to foster international relationships, the island established two diplomatic missions in Ghana, and Kenya in 2021 and more recently set up an honorary mission in Rwanda.

“Our mission is to directly reconnect with those with whom we have a natural affinity. We shall be deliberate in increasing travel between our regions, this time by choice, and craft a new lived reality for the next generation of all young people of African descent,” Straughn said.

“I ask this forum to join Barbados in the effort to Reclaim Our Atlantic Destiny and I look forward to welcoming you all to Barbados very soon to advance these important discussions, deepen ties and to deliver social and economic justice on behalf of those who have gone before.”

He pointed out that Barbados had the second-largest archive of Transatlantic slave records which were being digitised to not only give the youth a strong sense of identity but to serve as the foundation for the valuation of reparations.
(BT/BGIS)