Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams has urged the private sector to show greater commitment to national pride by giving Independence prominence ahead of Christmas commercial activities, amid mounting public debate over declining patriotic displays in the build-up to the nation’s annual celebrations.
Abrahams, speaking at Parliament recently as he unveiled the Government approved programme of national events for November, acknowledged that businesses traditionally pivot early toward holiday promotions, but he insisted that Barbados’ 59th anniversary of Independence and the build-up to the 60th milestone next year deserved stronger visibility from commercial actors.
“We have reached out to businesses, especially in relation to the lighting and the decoration and have encouraged persons to participate . . . but covered with the best will in the world, businesses will look at their bottom line and people can’t wait to get their Christmas activities going,” he said, adding that Government’s role rested largely on persuasion rather than enforcement.
“We as a Government can only do what we can to control what is within our actual control,” Abrahams added.
The minister lamented a cultural shift in the national mood during November, noting that households and retailers once held off on Christmas décor until Independence Day had passed.
“I personally came up in a house where no Christmas decorations would work until Independence was done . . . but now you’re hearing Christmas music playing in September,” he pointed out.
Despite this trend, Abrahams maintained that public enthusiasm for Independence remained strong, boosted by a year of positive national sentiment and by the imminent installation of Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic as the country’s second President.
“Bajans seem to be looking forward to Independence this year . . . we have had a very good year nationally . . . and there’s the additional interest in the installation of the new President . . . he was the voice of strength during the COVID pandemic and I think Barbadians are excited to see him get the highest office in the land,” he said.
The minister outlined a packed programme of official events, including the National Lighting Ceremony and Bajan Brew; the Food and Rum Festival; Remembrance Day Parade; the Spirit of the Nation Show; the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts Gala; the President’s Garden Party for Centenarians; and the Independence Concert at Golden Square.
The celebration will culminate on November 30 with the Independence Parade and the final of the increasingly popular Prime Minister’s Cup football tournament at Kensington Oval.
“I’ve seen more people at Prime Minister’s Cup matches than I’ve seen going to watch the Barbados national team play football . . .with $100 000 at stake,” he said.
Abrahams appealed for a display of decorum and pride throughout the season.
“We had no lawlessness so far during the football tournament. I’m asking Barbadians to put our best face forward, let us cap it off with the best Independence ever” he said.
He also encouraged media houses to support Bajan culture, noting that radio stations were asked to give more airplay to Barbadian music in the fortnight leading up to Independence.
While conceding that commercial Christmas preparations would continue to compete for attention, Abrahams insisted the collective spirit surrounding Independence should remain intact.
“I trust that Barbadians will show their national spirit in the ways in which they are accustomed to doing so. We can only use moral persuasion but I have no doubt that the overall participation in Independence is going to be high,” he said. (CLM)
The post Call for private sector to push Independence appeared first on nationnews.com.
