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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
In his welcome remarks, the Governor General who serves as incoming chairman, told the nine visiting presidents and governors general that they are faced literally with the powerful effects of multiple “perfect storms”.
Some of these storms he said, result from internal factors – both natural and man-made, within the respective countries/regions, and some arise from factors outside the region.
“In each of our countries, we rely heavily on revenue from touristic dollars for much of our infrastructural and socio-economic developmental programmes. With the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, we are not oil producing communities; and our somewhat fragile economies are therefore buffeted by the vagaries of the global oil market,” said the Governor General.”
These factors, said Governor General Hanna, “will further challenge the abilities of each of our member countries to maintain and improve existing national services, and to effectively initiate and implement new ones.”
Outgoing conference Chairman H.E. Dr. Nicholas J. O Liverpool, president of the Commonwealth of Dominica in brief remarks, said all Heads of State represented have advocated and feel strongly about the unity of the CARICOM region.
“I therefore venture to suggest,” said the President of Dominica, “that we should use every opportunity to educate our population in an attempt to persuade them of the benefits of that unity - a concept which continually seems to elude us.”
Dr. Liverpool said he has never subscribed to the view that achieving unity among the Caribbean countries is an insurmountable goal. “I believe that we should take a long term view and continue to pass on the idea, “pure and unsoiled” to succeeding generations of West Indians until unity is achieved. We must unite in order to survive, as this is the only viable way forward in this cruel and dangerous world,” added Dr. Liverpool.
Having noted the path of Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Hanna and their effects on The Bahamas, Dr. Liverpool, on behalf of his colleagues extended sympathy in respect of any damage caused.
“We, particularly those who come from banana growing countries, feel your pain and we wish that the efforts at recovery in your salt industry will be speedy and complete,” said the President of Dominica.
Ten countries are participating in this year’s conference that is being held October 6-9.
They are the presidents of Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago, and the Governors General of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Rebuilding Societies”. Six outstanding Bahamian professionals are expected to make presentations: Dr. Gail Saunders, Mrs. Missouri –Sherman-Peters, Mr. Peter Pratt, Dr. Robin Roberts, Dr. Sandra- Dean-Patterson and Mrs. Patricia Glinton-Meicholas.
He was called to the Bar of England and Wales and when he returned to The Bahamas, he was called to the Bahamas Bar in 1955. Known as the “Architect of Bahamianisation”, Arthur Hanna is a lawyer as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister. He was one of the framers of the Bahamas Constitution and a member of the delegation that represented the Progressive Liberal Party at all of the constitutional conferences in the United Kingdom.
When the Progressive Liberal Party assumed officer in January 1967, he became the Deputy Premier, later Deputy Prime Minister, with additional responsibilities including the Public Service, gaming and accommodation until his resignation as Minister in 1984. During this period, he also served firstly as a Minister of Education, then a Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Trade and Industry and finally as Minister of Finance for the last 12 years as a Cabinet Minister.
He is married to the former Beryl Church of Bristol, England and they have five children: Arthur Dion Jr., an attorney, Mark Lindsay, entrepreneur; Glenys Hanna-Martin, attorney, and Dawn Victoria. A son David Sean pre-deceased him.
Arthur Hanna was sworn in on February 1, 2006 as the 7th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. He worships at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church.
Sir Clifford was called to the Bar, Middle Temple. From 1952 – 54, he served in private practice, Barbados; as Deputy Registrar (Ag), Barbados. He served in various posts in the judiciary in the Caribbean, specifically in Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, Montserrat, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
A Queen’s Counsel, Sir Clifford also served as Judge, Supreme Court, Barbados; Justice of Appeal, Barbados; Chairman of the Community Legal Services; Chairman of the Penal Reform Committee and President of the Privy Council, Barbados. Sir Clifford also served as Council Member, Barbados Family Planning Association and Vice President of Barbados Lawn Tennis Association.
In 1989, he was made Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George by Her Majesty, The Queen; he also received the Companion of Honour of Barbados. His interests include music, swimming, photography and cricket.
Sir Clifford is married to Ruby C. D. Parris. He has three children, Sandra Dawne Taylor, Anthony and Laura Husbands.
Sir Daniel is Governor-General of the State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique from August 1996. He was Knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on May 7, 1997 with the Order of Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George.
He studied law in London; was called to the Bar of Grenada and London, England. He was also a schoolteacher (rising to Deputy Principal), Grenada.
His work experience includes private practice law, general but mainly civil, corporate and business law. In June 1996, he was appointed one of Her Majesty’s Queen Counsel; from June 1984 to 1989 elected and served in the Parliament of Grenada. He has served in various capacities in government as Minister of Health, Housing and the Environment; of Community Development and Women’s Affairs; Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General and Acted as Prime Minister.
Sir Daniel is a published author: A Synoptic View of the Public Service of Grenada, 1999; Prescription for a Model Grenada, 2000; God Speaks, 2001; The Layman’s Lawbook, 2002; and The Love of God, 2004. His hobbies, interests and other activities are scouting, tennis, astronomy and aviation – a private pilot between 1971 and 1973.
Dame Calliopa obtained a Bachelors of Arts Degree in English and French from UWI, a Masters of Arts (Linguistics) Universite Laval; and a PhD (Higher Education) University of Bristol. She has been a teacher, a tutor, a principal, a dean at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, where she also served as vice principal and principal.
Amongst her distinguished honours are: Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (Knighted by Her Majesty The Queen); Dame of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of St John’s and Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Lucia.
Dame Calliopa was named International Woman of the Year 1998 – 2001; is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts; Paul Harris Fellow; Woman of Great Esteem and received the Caribbean Luminary Award. Her special interests include the performing arts, language and culture, gardening, and Small States issues.
Dr. Liverpool began his university Education in 1957 and obtained an LL.B (Hons) from Hull University in 1960. He was attached as a Barrister-at-Law at Inner Temple from 1958 to 1961. He pursued studies at the Sheffield University from 1962 to 1965 and obtained a Ph.D in Law.
In 2003 Dr. Liverpool received the Dominica Award of Honour. His professional life has been spent in the field of law. He served as Senior Lecturer (1974-1992) and Dean 1976-1978), Faculty of Law at UWI, Cave Hill Barbados. He served as a Judge of the High Court in Antigua and Monsterrat from 1973-1974 and Justice of Appeal—Court of Appeal in Grenada 1979-1991, Court of Appeal in Belize 1990-1992 and 1996-2000, Bahamas Court of Appeal 1996-1997.
Dr. Liverpool served as Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United States of America from 1998-2001. He has served on several Boards, Tribunals and Commissions has written various articles, publications and papers and has attended numerous conferences/ seminars nationally, regionally and internationally.
Trained in the technical profession, President Richards has worked in the United Oilfields of Trinidad Limited, Point Fortin; the Refinery Laboratory, Shell Trinidad Limited; and as Head of the Refinery Operations, Shell Trinidad Limited. He was professor at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad; also served as Assistant Dean, Faculty of Engineering; Professor of Chemical Engineering, UWI and Principal, St Augustine, and Pro-Vice Chancellor, UWI.
His other activities include Chairman, Industrial Development Corporation, Trinidad and Tobago; and Chairman of the Salaries Review Commission.
His local awards include receiving the Chaconia Medal of the Order of the Trinity – Class I (Gold). On March 17, 2003, he was sworn in as President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
She was educated at the Freetown Government School before attending the Antigua Girls High School in St. John’s
After graduation Mrs. Lake-Tack migrated to the United Kingdom (UK) where she pursued studies in nursing at the Charring Cross Hospital. Following her studies, she was employed at the National Heart Hospital and the Harley Street Clinic. She also studied at a number of educational institutions. These include City of Westminister College, Thames Valley University, the Open University, Holborn Law School and the Council of Legal Education to Study for the bar. She also served as a magistrate, and sat at Pocock Street Crown Court and Middlesex Crown Court to hear appeals from the lower courts.
A devout member of the Anglican Church, she studied for one year to become a Christian counselor at her local church. “All Souls.” Langham Place, London. She also worked as a volunteer in the All Souls Christian Bookshop for several years.
Mrs. Lake-Tack is a former member of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and helped to raise funds for the educational arm of that movement. She is a member of the Antigua and Barbuda National Association (London) for the past twenty-four (24) years. She sat on the church committee of that group which was instrumental in arranging the annual Antigua and Barbuda Independence Church Service in London.
Mrs. Lake-Tack is an avid reader, occasional writer and a very keen gardener who enjoys growing grapes.
Mrs. Lake-Tack is a widow with two (2) children.
He was educated at St Michael’s College – earning a First Class Teacher’s Certificate; at the University of London/University College of the West Indies, B.A. (English, Hons.), and University of New York, D. Phil (Linguistics).
His Excellency lectured at different levels at St Michael’s College, Belize, and served as president of the University of Belize. institutions in Belize. He was guest lecturer at Murray State University, Kentucky, USA, and the University of North Florida.
His honours include Grand Cross of the Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and St. George, Member of the Order of the British Empire, Prime Minister Citation for Contribution to Belizean Culture, University of North Florida scholarship named in his honour. He is also listed in Who’s Who in the Commonwealth, and Men and Women of Distinction.
His hobbies include music,collecting and arr4anging Belizean folk-songs. He is also author of a number of publications including Creole Proverbs of Belize, From One Caribbean Corner, Language and Education in Belize.
His Excellency career spans over four decades, said to have blazed a trail of excellence in the field of education both in Jamaica and the United States, and also in service to the Caribbean Community through his work at the CARICOM Secretariat from 1975 to 1977 and again, between 1994 and 1996.
He has served as Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. He has published several books, articles and reviews on issues relating to history and international relations. His most recent publications have included “CARICOM; Single Market and Economy: Challenges, Benefits and Prospects”; “Rex N Nettleford Selected Speeches”; Integrated or Perish! Perspective of Leaders of the integration Movement 1963 –2002”, and “Governance in the Age of Globalisation.”
In 2004, the Government of Jamaica conferred upon him the Order of Jamaica for significant contribution to education and regional development.
His Excellency holds a doctor of Philosophy degree in history from the Queens University in Ontario, Canada.
Since taking up office in February 2006, the Governor-General has
combined his interest in young people and the promotion of excellence to establish the Governor-General’s Youth Award for Excellence Programme.
He was awarded War Medal, Air Force Medal, Long Service Medal, Defence Force Medal, St John Ambulance Medal, and the Apostolic Blessing and pledge conferred by Pope John Paul II.
His Excellency attended the Basseterre Boys Elementary School. He is qualified and licensed to practice as a chemist and druggist, a qualified laboratory technician, and senior dispenser and steward (Hospital Administrator) at Cunningham Hospital.
He is president of the West Indian Society, Spanish Club and Dance Club at Mount Allison University. He graduated from Dalhousie Medical School with a Doctorate in Medicine and a Master of Surgery Degree.
From 1959 to 1962, he served in Nevis at the Alexandra Hospital and as a District Medical Officer intermittently – as the only doctor on the islands.
From 1962 – 1966, he received training at the Dundee Royal Infirmary. He spent three weeks on assignment at the Karolinska Huget in Stockholm, Sweden and eventually returned to St Kitts and was appointed Superintendent and Obstetrician/Gynaecologist of the main hospital.
In 2001, he was honoured for his contribution to medicine and to celebrate publication of his book “St Kitts – 100 Years of Medicine.”
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