St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, says he remains “truly humbled” after Guyana bestowed its second highest national award, the Order of Roraima on him.
Gonsalves, who arrived in Guyana on Monday at the start of a four-day official visit, joins his Barbados colleague, Prime Minister Mia Mottley as a recipient of the Order of Roraima.’
“I came this evening not expecting this but I am truly humbled,’ Gonsalves said at the ceremony on Tuesday night when he was presented with the award by President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
“The conferral of Guyana’s Order of Roraima is in deserved recognition of the tireless commitment of unflinching contribution which Dr. Gonsalves has made to the cause of regionalism and regional integration,” said President Ali.
Gonsalves was also recognized for his commitment to preserving democracy and the rule of law in Guyana and Ali said also he has proven that he is a “Caribbean man” who has provided “steadfast leadership” and “wise counsel” as an elder statesman in the region.
Ali also lauded the other regional and national individuals who stood up for “democracy, the rule of law, and freedom” in Guyana, saying they will be recognized for their contributions later in the year
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in his brief remarks emphasized that the two CARICOM countries have long shared good relations, as part of his focus on a more unified Caribbean.
He told the ceremony that after more than 50 years in politics, he has always remained a “friend of Guyana” and a friend of the country’s nationalist movement.
CMC/
