Her Excellency The Governor-General Dame Marcella A. Liburd, GCMG, JP. was this morning, Thursday, 29^th June, 2023 advised of the passing of former Governor-General of Saint Christopher and Nevis Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, KC, JP, LL.D. He was her immediate predecessor who demitted Office on 31^st January, 2023.

Her Excellency The Governor-General has conveyed her deep condolences to the Family of Sir Tapley Seaton on the sad passing.  Sir Tapley Seaton had a long and distinguished career in Public Service.  He was the first Attorney General of an Independent Saint Christopher and Nevis.  He was a former President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association and the OECS Bar Association, first President of the Saint Christopher National Trust and first Chairman of the joint venture telecommunications Company (Cable & Wireless) from 1985 to 1995.
 
The Federation has truly lost a great son of the soil.  His life was one of dedicated service.  He fought and defended the rights of our people. Through his efforts, Sir Tapley Seaton crafted The Constitution and many other pieces of legislation.    Our Federation has been the beneficiary of his great stewardship. 

The Ministry of Health in St. Kitts and Nevis continues to invest in the development of human resource capacity at the Joseph N. France General Hospital through training opportunities.

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, approximately twenty-five (25) administrative staff at the General Hospital received their certificates for successfully completing a Medical Terminology Course.

Medical terminology refers to the language used in the field of medicine to describe anatomical structures, processes, conditions, medical procedures, and treatments.

The six-week training course ran from March 28 to May 11, 2023, and was attended by staff of the Medical Records Department of the JNF General Hospital.

Marshalette Smith-Anthony presents certificate to Devrone Connor

Course Facilitator and Lecturer at the Division of Health Sciences of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC), Marshalette Smith-Anthony, indicated that it is critically important that the medical records team at the hospital know and understand medical terminology.

“This course allows you to communicate effectively using the relevant medical jargon; to identify, pronounce and spell medical terms; to use the terms in context to construct medical terms and employ terms performing to different systems of the body, as well as applying this new knowledge in your roles and future expanded roles as members of the healthcare team,” Smith-Anthony said.

Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew attended the graduation and certificate presentation ceremony where he applauded the participants for completing the six-week course.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew also described the training as timely and one that will increase the efficiency of the medical staff.

 Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew presents certificate to Tamu Stephens-Gentles

He said, “I know sometimes when the doctor writes what they write, a lot of the things it is not so much that the writing is bad, but it is that you cannot recognize the words. So now that you know the words, even though the writing is bad, you would be able to start to decipher what that word is.”

“I think this is also timely because we are going to introduce soon Electronic Health Information System. We are now building out the fibre optics systems which will be completed in November and after the fibre optics system is completed we will put the health information system on it and that means therefore that the information that is there that you have to manage, you will be in a better position to manage it as well,” the prime minister added.

In attendance at Thursday’s ceremony were the Director of Health Institutions, Dr. Jenson Morton, Principal Nursing Officer, Dr. Rondalyn Dennis-Bradshaw, and Director of Operations at J.N.F General Hospital, Ms. Lindsey Maynard.

The athletes who represented St. Kitts and Nevis in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany from 17^th – 25^th June, 2023, returned to the Federation to a warm welcome reception at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on Wednesday (June 28) afternoon.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Special Olympians copped a total of nine (9) medals across four sporting disciplines: two gold medals in athletics; two gold medals and one bronze in tennis; one gold and two bronze in swimming, and one bronze medal in cycling.

A mini motorcade was held for the athletes through the streets of Basseterre, ending at Olympic House at Taylor’s Range where a brief ceremony was held in their honour.

There, government ministers including Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Honourable Konris Maynard and Minister of State with responsibility for Disabilities the Honourable Isalean Phillip, as well as officials from the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee extended heartfelt congratulations to the athletes and officials on their performances in Berlin.

Highlighting their achievements, Prime Minister Dr. Drew, in his remarks, described the athletes as “heroes and great examples” for all Kittitians and Nevisians.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate all of our Olympic athletes who went to Berlin to represent St. Kitts and Nevis. I think that what they did has made us all proud. It shows that nothing should really stop any human being from realizing their full potential. They are heroes. They are great examples, even examples for our young people who should use this as inspiration to propel them to achieve what they seek to achieve,” the prime minister said.

The Honourable Isalean Phillip, who spent time with the athletes at the Games in Berlin, also recorded her appreciation and commendation to the athletes, coaches and support staff for their efforts at the World Games.

“Just to be able to see the capabilities of persons who are often tagged as persons who are not so able or capable was actually very, very eye-opening for me and life-changing, and so the fact that we have a Special Olympics team of athletes who have been training for months, who have been training with their coaches and have been able to deliver [and] to be able to represent our small twin island Federation on this world stage is really, really commendable and it makes me proud as just a Kittitian and Nevisian and I’m really, really proud of the work that you have done and the medals that you have brought home,” Minister Phillip said.

Words of commendation were also given by the Ambassador of Sports, His Excellency Kenneth Douglas.

The fourteen (14) athletes that represented St. Kitts and Nevis at the Special Olympics World Games were each presented with a gift bag as a show of appreciation for their efforts in Berlin.

During the plenary sessions of the 53rd Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), Her Excellency Sherry Tross, High Commissioner of Saint Kitts and Nevis to Canada and Ambassador to Mexico and Panama, presented a most compelling national statement to the august body, on behalf of the Rt. Hon Dr. Denzil Douglas Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.

H.E. Tross in lauding the organization for its work in promoting its foundational values in the hemisphere stated, “The OAS must be commended for its commitment to championing these issues in the Americas over time and playing a pivotal role in supporting democratic accountability and in advocating for the protection of human rights.”

The Ambassador further shared the federation’s commitment and consonance to upholding the tenants of the charter, highlighting the bipartisan support in the National Assembly to ensure good governance and accountability – “This year, the government passed into law the Anti-Corruption Bill, 2023; Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The swift passage of these new Acts, with bipartisan support, is a testament to the government’s commitment to strengthening democratic accountability and transparency as it works to create a better country for all citizens and residents to enjoy.

In emphasizing the importance of pooling our collaborative efforts in supporting each other, especially in times of difficulty to ensure continued peace and stability across the hemisphere, H.E. Tross registered the government’s appreciation for ongoing work in our sister nation of Haiti stating, “ the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis wishes to place on record its support for the ongoing work being conducted by the OAS Working Group on Haiti as well as the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group and, most importantly, Haitians themselves.

In her presentation, Ambassador Tross also called attention to the organization’s influential and leadership role in the current global context, as a strategic partner in addressing the convergence of crises that confront its Member States, which continue to have profound socio-economic and governance implications for our people.  She further underscored the interconnectivity of the organ’s four pillars stressing that “In an era defined by climate change therefore, a rights-based, good governance and resilient development agenda can no longer be put into separate silos. They must go hand in hand.”

The concern of the organization’s financial health in fulfilling its mandates was also brought to sharp focus, as Ambassador Tross impressed upon the body that “when adequately resourced, it is better positioned to respond to the challenges in the hemisphere.”

In expressing the federation’s gratitude for its partnership with the OAS over the years, Ambassador Tross also used the opportunity to reaffirm the federation’s commitment to working closely with the organization as our nation commemorates its 40^th Anniversary of Independence. 

The Government of St Kitts and Nevis was represented by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action & Constituency Empowerment during the 108th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) for Environment and Sustainable Development virtually, with other Member States of CARICOM on Tuesday, 27th June, 2023.

The high-level meeting included a Ministerial Roundtable Panel moderated by Minister responsible, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke in addition to a Ministerial Caucus to confirm key decisions for CARICOM Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as the Bloc heads to upcoming major international events including COP28 and the SIDS Conference.

The High-Level Roundtable proposed clear guidance for COTED on advancing environmental and natural resource governance in CARICOM, climate finance, climate justice and regional integration for transformational change.

The COTED Plenary prepares CARICOM Member States for the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) more commonly referred to as COP28 that will convene in the United Arab Emirates from 30 November to December 12, 2023.

CARICOM’s outlook for the Climate Agenda going into COP28 borders on Collective Action, Advocacy, Regional Integration, Climate Justice, and more ambitious and intentional action for addressing the international climate financing architecture which protects the most vulnerable countries, economies and people in the region.

Ministers from the participating Member States reinforced the urgency of the 1.5° pathway, the $1 billion threshold and the collective strength of SIDS in demanding change and justice in the international landscape for climate agreements, and climate finance, in particular, Loss and Damage.

The Human Resource Management Department on behalf of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology & Posts wishes to invite suitably qualified persons to fill the position of Postmaster General.

The successful candidate will be responsible for organizing, administering, and directing the functions of all Post Offices in the Federation of St.  Kitts and Nevis.  Assist with establishing departmental procedures, and implementing organization goals and policies.  Coordinate office activities and operations for improved efficiency and compliance with departmental goals and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Use knowledge of communities (rural, urban, and suburban) to contribute to the development of the National Addressing System.

1. Conduct research and implement various projects for the Department, UPU/CPU including capital projects.

1. Prepare cabinet submission for Stamp Issues (Commemorative and Definitive).

1. The knowledge of ordering stamps for St.  Kitts custody thereof.

1. Visit Sub Offices and mail delivery routes.

1. Review monthly reports on All Post Offices. Assist with assessment of employee performance.

1. Custody of Money and Postal Orders Stock.  Custody and distribution of cash for the payment of money and postal orders

1. Act as liaison between regional and international Administrations.

1. Verification of accounts for Postal Administration (terminal dues).

1. Mail routing and scheduling.  Investigation of complaints by members of the public.

1. Safety and security of Post Office Buildings. Liaison closely with the management team.

1. Assist with writing briefs to justify any recommendations and/or for developing mail delivery. (UPU/CPU and the Department)

1. Ensure that the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and department standards are enforced.

1. Oversee, monitor, and assess the operations of units (EMS, Mail Operations).

1. Identify opportunities for staff training, team development and capacity-building as well as organizing training seminars and workshops.

1. Provide support in the preparation of the Ministry’s yearly Budget Expenditure including development of objectives and indicators for assessing all projects.

1. Assist in the preparation of briefs for senior management, to ensure that the technical input by the Ministry at various international, regional, and local meetings is of the highest quality.

1. When necessary, participate in various local, regional, and international meetings, workshops, and other related areas to ensure that the interests of the Ministry of the Government of St.  Kitts and Nevis are adequately represented.

1. Develop mechanisms for regular monitoring and reporting of department activities, plans and projects to the Permanent Secretary.

1. Undertake any other duties.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• A University Degree (Business Administration/Management, Public Administration, or relevant area)
• At least 3 years of post-qualification work experience
• At least 5 years in management/supervision and policy development position
• Experience in business development and strategic planning

Knowledge & Skills:
In addition to the requirements above, the post holder must have the following skills:

• Good command of the English Language both written and oral, including the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external staff and stakeholders and to represent the Ministry to the highest standard.
• The ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• Adequate knowledge of postal operations and regulations.
• Can work effectively, confidentially, and confidently with all stakeholders, partners and other governmental departments.
• Be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary service to the public.
• Have computer and digital literacy.
• Able to negotiate major contracts and agreements with third-party partners for the provision of services and development of projects.
• Be able to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.

Salary: K39-K41/K42-K43 (76,032-$83,292)/ ($87,192-$91,548) per annum


Applications must be accompanied by:
·         Letter of Application
·         Curriculum Vitae
·         Police Record
·         Official academic certificates, transcripts, and other relevant documents (certified copies)
·         Two (2) references with telephone and e-mail addresses


and should be addressed to:

Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology
P O Box 186
NATIONAL ICT CENTER, #3 C.A. PAUL SOUTHWELL INDUSTRIAL SITE
BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS
Email:technology@gov.kn



The deadline for receipt of applications is 20^th July, 2023.

 Further to the promises made by the Attorney-General, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, during the most recent sitting of the National Assembly on June 20, 2023, in which a suite of cannabis-related legislation was debated and passed into law, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs has launched a widespread public education campaign dubbed #CannabisClaritySKN.

“Now that the Rastafari Rights Recognition Act, the Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Act, the Drugs (Amendment) Act and the Smoking (Designated Areas) Act have been published in the Gazette and are in force, the ministry has turned its energies into educating the general public about these new laws related to Rastafari and personal cannabis cultivation, use and possession in St Kitts & Nevis,” said the Attorney-General, who also serves as the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs.

Attorney-General Wilkin explained the aim of the public education campaign.

“The passage of laws without education and how they work in the real world is problematic. The #CannabisClaritySKN public education campaign is therefore aimed at informing our people and our visitors about what this comprehensive suite of legislation means for them and what are the dos and don’ts with respect to cannabis cultivation, use and possession going forward,” he said.

The epicenter of the public education campaign is the website www.cannabisclarityskn.com, which provides salient and summarized information about the new cannabis-related laws. The Ministry has also launched social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter which can be accessed using the tag: @ganjaclarityskn.

“We have summarized the laws into bite-sized information graphics and have engaged local influencers to push the information. We know people are busy, so we tried our best to condense the salient points for ease of consumption,” said the Attorney-General. “Info jingles are also being produced to be aired on radio stations. The whole campaign has been professionally developed by Kittitians and we are proud of this. I encourage everyone to visit the website and to share the #CannabisClaritySKN social media clippings with your friends and neighbours,” implored the Attorney-General.

The website www.cannabisclarityskn.com contains key points, FAQs, a YouTube link to the National Assembly sitting and PDFs of the various cannabis-related laws. Persons with questions about the new laws related to Rastafari and personal cannabis cultivation, use and possession in St Kitts & Nevis can also email CannabisClarity@gov.kn.

Parliamentary debate in St. Kitts and Nevis has taken on a markedly different tone, with members of the public complimenting the reduced disagreements between opposing Members of Parliament (MP), constructive debates, and the efficient functioning of House sittings.

Attorney General (AG), the Honourable Garth Wilkin, shared insight into the current dynamic within the parliament on Wednesday’s (June 21, 2023) edition of the radio and television programme InFocus, which airs live on ZIZ radio and television.

“I’ve made public statements in parliament very early on that our style of parliament is going to be very different to the styles of parliament in the past,” AG Wilkin said. He noted that the spirit of cooperation is encapsulated in the words shared by the Opposition MP for Nevis #11, the Honourable Alexis Jeffers during the June 20, 2023, Sitting of the National Assembly.

“I have said in the past that whenever there is legislation been debated and passed here in the parliament, and I can support, I will support, and this is one such Bill,” Honourable Jeffers stated, referring to the four Cannabis related Bills passed this week.

Honourable Wilkin said that draft Bills from the Attorney General’s Chambers are designed to benefit the population of St. Kitts and Nevis and are buttressed by the Constitution. While everyone may not agree, the will of the people who are represented by various MPs must be considered.

“It isn’t that we are sending this legislation to the Opposition and saying we want you to support. We are bringing the legislation, and because it is good legislation that benefits all of their constituents, then you can take the politics out of it for a little bit, and you can give your views like they did with the good governance (legislation),” AG Wilkin said.

One of the signature moments of cooperation was witnessed in November 20022 when Opposition MP for St. Christopher #5, the Honourable Shawn Richards, seconded the movement of a government Bill – The Evangelistic Faith Church St. Kitts (Incorporation) Bill.

“That’s democracy,” the attorney general expressed. “You fight when you need to fight; you do the politics when politics needs to be done, and when you come to do the people’s business, you do the people’s business.”

The appreciation of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis was conveyed to the Permanent Observers of the Organization of American States (OAS) for their continued support of the work of the OAS. This message was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, at the Dialogue of Heads of Delegation, Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General with the Heads of Delegations of Permanent Observers on June 21, 2023, in Washington, D.C., during the 53^rd General Assembly of the OAS.

Foreign Minister Dr. Douglas asserted, “St. Kitts and Nevis deeply values the reliable partnership and cooperation of all Permanent Observers and your consistent and generous efforts to buttress the work of the OAS, as it seeks to accomplish its many mandates. Your invaluable provision of financial resources, scholarships, technical expertise, and best practices to the OAS and by extension, the people of the Americas augur well for the continued development of our countries. Your unwavering solidarity with us is testament to your appreciable recognition of the importance of our Americas to the global scenario.”

St Kitts and Nevis has benefited from the generosity of the Permanent Observers from recent capacity building in critical areas of Diplomacy, Cyber Diplomacy, Norms and Law, and Cybersecurity, from which our professionals have been able to benefit tremendously.”

Minister Douglas in concluding his remarks, registered concern for Haiti stating, “I wonder if all of us inclusive of our Permanent Observers are seized with the continuing troubling situation in Haiti and how quickly the people and nation can realize the democracy, human rights, security and development that are espoused by this our cherished hemispheric organization, the OAS.”

Seventy-three (73) states and the European Union are Permanent Observers to the OAS.

 Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, today participated in the Third Meeting of the CARICOM-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Group which was held on the margins of the 53rd Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS).

The meeting, which was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Hon. Mélanie Joly, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica and Chair of COFCOR, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson-Smith, focused on priority areas of collaboration between CARICOM and Canada, including climate resilience, concessional financing, security, trade and food security.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Douglas addressed the critical importance of using a multidimensional vulnerability index (MVI) which takes into account the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States SIDS), instead of the current utilization of GDP per capita as the main criterion for determining the degree or need for development assistance.

The Foreign Minister intimated, “As we once again address the topic of MVI, we need to be straightforward about the development needs of our countries as well as our internal capacities and constraints. We also have to be frank in acknowledging that the current global financial architecture and development assistance frameworks often stifle, instead of support, the sustainable growth and prosperity we wish for our people.”

In recognizing Canada’s leadership as an important global and strategic partner, Minister Douglas posited “Canada has a unique opportunity to advance consequential change that recognizes the vulnerability of Caribbean SIDS as it assumes the chairmanship of the Caribbean Development Bank and continues its representation of the Caribbean at the World Bank and IMF.”

CARICOM and Canada as hemispheric partners with robust historical and cultural ties remain committed to fostering their partnership through its 2021- 2023 Roadmap for Action and the upcoming launch of the CARICOM-Canada Strategic Partnership.
The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Her Excellency Sherry Tross, High Commissioner of Saint Kitts and Nevis to Canada and Ms. Shanelle Simmonds, Chargé d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Washington D.C.