(MOA Basseterre, St. Kitts, 16 October 2024): On Tuesday 15th October 2024, seniors from across St. Kitts gathered at Frigate Bay Beach for a special World Food Day event designed to promote ocean awareness and the importance of the sea as a vital source of food and nutrition. The initiative dubbed, “World Food Day Beach Aerobics” was held in collaboration with the Department of Marine Resources St. Kitts and Nevis and the Department of Youth Empowerment, Ageing, and Disabilities, aimed to empower older adults with knowledge about marine ecosystems while promoting healthy living through physical activity. 

The beach aerobics session, a unique twist on the traditional World Food Day celebrations, saw seniors energetically participating in guided exercises along the shoreline. The activities focused on enhancing physical mobility, mental well-being, and fostering a sense of community. However, the real highlight of the day was the educational component, which focused on the ocean’s vital role in sustaining life and promoting nutrition.

Chair of the 2024 World Food Day committee and Port Control Officer from the Department of Marine Resources, Maritza Queeley used the opportunity to educate the seniors about the critical importance of the ocean, not just as a source of recreation but as a provider of essential food resources. The Marine Officer discussed how seafood contributes to global nutrition, emphasizing the rich variety of fish and marine life that are not only delicacies but also rich in proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins that support healthy aging. She also spoke about the environmental challenges that threaten marine ecosystems, such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Queeley then invited the group to the Fish Fry and Seafood competition on Friday 18th October at the Old Road Fisheries Depot. 

At the closing of the activity, the group learned of the benefits of a balanced diet that includes seafood and engaged in meaningful discussion about the positive effects of seafood on heart health, cognitive function, and joint mobility, which are crucial for an aging population.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 17, 2024 (SKNIS) – Towards its drive to reduce the Federation’s high importation of food, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources held a distribution drive on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, where thousands of banana and plantain suckers were handed over to local farmers and backyard gardeners in St. Kitts.

In total, approximately 13,000 banana suckers and between 12,000 to 15,000 plantain suckers were distributed during the highly successful drive, which formed part of the activities for the week-long observance of World Food Day—observed annually on October 16.

Ian Chapman, the Head of the Crops Programme within the Ministry of Agriculture, noted that Wednesday’s crop distribution drive will ultimately play a significant role in boosting local food production and reducing the country’s dependency on imported produce.

“This initiative was spearheaded and led by the 25 by 25 programme as the ministry continues its intervention to help reduce the food import bill. When we look at the statistics, banana and plantains are two commodities we see of high imports,” Mr. Chapman said, noting that this is mainly due to the diverse nature of the two crops.

Apart from being consumed fresh, both bananas and plantains are widely used in the agro-processing sector to create a variety of products.

“And so we really see that by growing more of these commodities locally we can make a significant [dent] in our food importation bill,” Mr. Chapman added.

Wednesday’s activity was the second distribution drive for banana and plantain suckers this year. Earlier in July, the ministry distributed roughly 26,000 suckers to farmers across St. Kitts.

Both distribution drives were held at the designated Agriculture Open Day site at the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park.

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (October 15, 2024)- The Department of Social Services Counseling Unit, in collaboration with the Nevis Health Promotion Unit in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), is hosting a 21-day Be Kind Challenge as a means of cultivating attitudes of friendliness, generosity, and consideration throughout the society.

“The reason behind this stemmed from the surge of crime and violence that we have been seeing going on throughout our Federation over the past few years, and just a general attitude of negativity that we have seen being perpetuated within our own Nevisian community, among adults, among children, among our teenagers in high school.

“So we thought to have this challenge that would help to facilitate kindness within our population,” Mrs. Ivorcia Browne, Coordinator of the Counseling Unit in the Department of Social Services explained.

She outlined the details of the challenge.

“For each day, persons in the general public are going to have an act of kindness that they are supposed to do for that day, so we are encouraging the general public to participate. Each day of the 21 days we would be posting and reminding persons via the Nevis Health Promotion Facebook page as to what that day is and what the act of kindness for that day would be.”

Mrs. Browne said the schools are also participating, with their guidance counselors encouraging the children to do acts of kindness. 

Persons are asked to post their acts of kindness each day, whether a picture or a brief reel or video clip, on the Nevis Health Promotion Unit Facebook page. 

The challenge began on October 11 and ends on October 31, 2024. 

At the end of the 21 days, the person who would have posted the most days or been the most creative or shown the most effort to perpetuate kindness would be awarded a prize.

By: Spokesman Newsroom 

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 16th October 2024)-Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives Samal Duggins, highlighted the crucial role of farmers and fishers in securing the nation’s food future. 

“Our farmers and fishers are at the forefront of this effort. They are the stewards of our land and sea, adapting to the ever-changing climate while ensuring the continuity of our food supply.”

Duggins made the disclosure on Wednesday 16th October 2024 while speaking on this year’s theme for World Food Day dubbed ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future’, as he highlighted the importance of access to nutritious and sufficient food for every citizen.

He acknowledged the significant contributions that such sectors make to the national economy, livelihoods, and the availability of fresh, locally sourced food.

“This is not just a day of reflection. It’s a day that calls on us to act. It reminds us that food is more than just sustenance. It is the very foundation of our health, our economy, and our nation’s future. In St. Kitts and Nevis, the right to food isn’t merely a slogan, it’s a national imperative. It’s about ensuring that every man, woman, and child has access to safe, nutritious, and adequate food. Food that nourishes the body, fuels our potential, and strengthens the bonds of community. Agriculture and fisheries are the beating heart of this mission. They are the backbone of our nation’s food system, providing jobs, sustaining livelihoods, and offering the fresh locally sourced food that enriches our daily lives,” he shared.

Facing growing challenges such as climate change, global market disruptions and rising food prices, the Minister urged a shift toward more sustainable practices. 

“By adopting climate-smart practices, by protecting our marine ecosystems, and by reducing food waste, we are not just feeding ourselves, we are laying the groundwork for generations to come,” Duggins said.

He noted that the government has implemented several initiatives to strengthen local food production, including greenhouse villages, the hatchery project, and the distribution of pineapple suckers. 

According to Minister Duggins, these programs aim to reduce reliance on food imports and ensure St. Kitts and Nevis can meet its own food needs. Additionally, they are designed to attract younger generations to farming and fishing by making these industries dynamic and rewarding career options.

Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that the journey toward food security is ongoing. “Hunger and malnutrition still cast their shadows on parts of our society.It is unacceptable that in a world with such abundance, so many still struggle to access the food they need.”

He touched on the initiatives introduced by the government such as school feeding programs and community outreach to address the issue of food insecurity. However, Duggins stressed that there is more work to be done, and no citizen should be left behind.

Additionally, Minister Duggins called on all sectors of society to contribute to this collective effort, from farmers and fishers to consumers and business owners. 

“Together, we can create a future where no one goes hungry, where our food systems are inclusive and efficient, and where agriculture and fisheries continue to drive our national development,” he said.

By: Spokesman Newsroom 

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 16th October 2024)-“Over the next two to three years, we anticipate an economic boom in construction, tourism, agriculture and sustainability projects.”

So said Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Terrance Drew during a national address on Thursday 17th October 2024 on topic of the evolution of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme.

According to the Finance Minister, the programme generated EC $280 million in revenue up to September 2024, a decline from previous years due to “necessary reforms and market adjustments.” 

He, however, emphasized that such changes were crucial for ensuring the program’s long-term viability. 

“Without these changes, all would have been lost. This now signals that the era of gross mismanagement is over. Instead, CBI will now fuel real, tangible, sustainable projects that will create permanent jobs and opportunities for the people of our beloved St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Among the major job-creating projects outlined are the construction of the new JNF Climate Smart General Hospital and the Basseterre High School, both of which are funded through CBI and international partnerships. The Prime Minister noted that these projects would provide significant employment opportunities for locals, particularly in the construction sector. 

“The Smart Homes Initiative, funded by CIBC Caribbean, will bring hundreds of homes to our people, with 90% of the construction workforce being local,” he said, adding that construction on the first 100 homes will begin by the end of 2024.

Dr. Drew also highlighted ongoing efforts in agriculture, aimed at reducing the Federation’s dependency on food imports. As understood, partnership with global hot sauce manufacturer Tabasco will allow local farmers to cultivate high-quality peppers for export, bringing additional jobs and revenue to the agricultural sector.

The Prime Minister further discussed major sustainability initiatives, including a two-million-gallon-per-day desalination plant, which will begin construction by the end of 2024, and the expansion of the Needmust Power Plant, which will create numerous jobs in both construction and permanent plant operations.

“Our agricultural sector is also undergoing a transformation as we seek to reduce our dependency on imports and empower our local farmers,” Dr. Drew said, outlining the importance of agriculture in the country’s broader economic strategy. He continued, “By adopting climate-smart practices, by protecting our marine ecosystems, and by reducing food waste, we are not just feeding ourselves, we are laying the groundwork for generations to come.”

Dr. Drew also stressed that while the government is leading the charge, success will require the participation of all sectors of society. 

“Government alone cannot drive this transformation. We need you to commit to diligent work and productivity, to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship. We need our diaspora to be part of this transformation.”

The Prime Minister reiterated the need for collective effort to realize the economic potential of St. Kitts and Nevis, saying: “The future belongs to us. Let us do it together.” 

The projects, he explained, are part of the government’s larger National Development Planning Framework, which seeks to shape the nation’s economy for the next 15 years. 

Front Page Image: Used for illustration purposes only, this image shows a construction site worker on the job (Credit: Sofi.com)

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 15, 2024 (SKNIS) – With Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and their complications still regarded as significant contributors to deaths in St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, is challenging health practitioners, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to work collaboratively in an effort to accelerate interventions to combat the NCD challenge.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew made this clarion call in his address to mark the annual observance of the Global Week of Action on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), which runs from October 15-22, 2024, under the tagline “The Time to Lead is Now”.

Dr. Drew highlighted that diabetes, hypertension, and their complications are the leading causes of illness in the Federation. He shared startling statistics that showed that over 80 percent of deaths in St. Kitts and Nevis were attributed to NCDs between 2017 and 2021,

“These diseases are our biggest public health problem and the time to lead is now!” Prime Minister Dr. Drew asserted. “As a physician and as the Minister of Health and Prime Minister, I am convinced that the time to scale up the NCD response is now. The Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis at-large, is investing its resources and adopting a comprehensive approach to accelerate the NCD response.”

The government’s wide-ranging response to the growing threat of NCDs includes prevention, screening, early detection, and aggressive management using evidence-based treatment options to reduce the onset of more severe and debilitating complications like strokes and heart attacks.

The local response in the fight against noncommunicable diseases entails the implementation of the Global HEARTS Programme in health centres throughout the Federation. The Global HEARTS Programme is aimed at strengthening the prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes, and their complications like heart attacks and heart failure. The multi-pronged approach also includes the continuation of the SKN Moves initiative and the certification of the JNF General Hospital as a Baby-Friendly Hospital. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) promotes a healthy diet by supporting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding for two years, as research has shown that exclusive breastfeeding and optimal infant and young child nutrition are essential for growth and development and in the long term, reduces the risks of developing NCDs.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew noted that these public health interventions, among others, are ongoing and should be accelerated by local authorities.

“This fight against the NCDs is real and getting worse because our population is ageing,” Dr. Drew said.

Looking ahead, the honourable prime minister said that the Ministry of Health will strengthen its community-based health services with an emphasis on primary care.

“The intention is to expand strategic partnerships with local non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and regional partners. This has the potential to exponentially increase efforts aimed at the prevention and control of NCDs,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew added.

The Ministry of Health will use this year’s observance of the Global Week for Action on NCDs to strengthen calls for the prevention and management of NCDs at every level.

Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis October 14, 2024 – Prime Minister of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Honourable Dr Terrance M Drew, will deliver a national address on Thursday, October 17, 2024, focusing on two critical pillars of the nation’s future: the evolution of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme and the Sustainable Island State Agenda.

As the CBI Programme remains a vital part of the nation’s economy, the Prime Minister will share the government’s plans to adapt it in response to global shifts. With an emphasis on sustainability, transparency, and resilience, Dr Drew will outline how the evolved CBI will continue to benefit Saint Kitts and Nevis while promoting long-term development.

Additionally, the Prime Minister will present a roadmap to diversify the economy, driving growth through investments in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. This address is expected to set the tone for a new era of economic empowerment and self-sufficiency, and all citizens are encouraged to tune in.

The address, which will be broadcast live at 7:30 PM, will air on all local major television and radio networks and will be available via online streaming platforms.