Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has called on Barbadians to renew their commitment to the country, urging citizens to fall in love with Barbados again.
Speaking at Kensington Oval, during the 59th Independence Day Parade and National Awards Ceremony, the Prime Minister said the nation stood at an important moment in its history and needed unity, discipline and collective effort to not only overcome challenges, but reach its development goals.
“I ask you today, all of you… to do something profound; to fall in love with Barbados again,” she told the crowd. “For when we fall in love again, love will help carry us and give us the passion that we need to keep going.”
Mottley also tied the call to the national goal of becoming a world-class society.
“We believe that it is entirely possible for us to be world class by 2030, in the delivery of service to each other. We believe that these missions will and can be attained by 2030. But this is only a signpost, for we all know that beyond 2030, we must continue that journey to be the best that we can be.”
The Prime Minister lauded Barbados’ second President, The Most Honourable Jeffrey Davidson Bostic, who was installed this morning, calling him “a true son of the soil” whose life represented service and quiet leadership.
“You are now our Head of State, and it gives me great joy to address you as Your Excellency,” she said. “In our darkest hours, you captured what this nation needed – no retreat, no surrender.”
She told the new President his example could help inspire citizens to take greater responsibility for their homes, communities and the direction of the country.
Mottley also addressed the fight against crime, noting that law enforcement could not solve the problem alone.
“The choice not to glorify violence by signs or actions or lyrics. The choice not to turn away when a young person is drifting into trouble, but instead to guide and to open doors. And I have every confidence, Your Excellency, that your example will be one that will inspire so many,” she said. “We cannot, my friends, build this Barbados alone.”
The Prime Minister congratulated all national awardees and singled out teams that helped Barbados get removed from the OECD and FATF blacklists. She said their work allowed the country to conduct commerce without fear or favour.
In a lighter moment, she celebrated the Barbados Pride cricket team which won the Regional Super50 Cup yesterday.
“Let them hear you,” she told the crowd. “Let them know we want it in 2026, and 2027, and 2028, and every year thereafter.”
As the nation moves toward its 60th anniversary in 2026 and further into its life as a republic, Mottley urged Barbadians not to become discouraged by economic or social pressures.
“Know that this weariness, that even if you think it is there, comes not from standing still or going downhill, but it comes from us climbing the mountain of achievement and progress that we must do as a people.
“You know, each of us knows that there is always a moment when we say, ‘I don’t know if I can make it, I don’t know if I have anything left’, but we all know that if we push and push and push, we can find that ability to keep going and to keep rising.”
She ended by calling on citizens to live the words of the National Pledge.
“Let us commit to do credit to our nation wherever we shall go. May God bless Barbados.” (AM)
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