Hon. Patrick Simmonds Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Ministerial Complex St. George’s Hon. Minister, Re Imani – Grenada Youth Upliftment Programme Season’s Greetings Hon. Minister! I have noted that recently you were at the centre of “a storm in a teacup” which seems to have been created by: • The decision of your government to phase out the Imani Programme • A shouting incident involving yourself and some participants of the Imani programme at a meeting held with them to advise them of the decision. Hon. Minister, permit me to offer my solidarity and re-affirm my confidence in your competence and commitment as the Minister of Youth Empowerment. You are eminently qualified to hold that position both by training and experience. You are also an accomplished sportsman. No one knows better than yourself the opportunities that sport offers for self-advancement. And furthermore, Hon. Simmons, we the people have expressed that confidence in you and have ELECTED you to office. This “storm” has been the subject of much media attention. I did have the opportunity to view a GBN Beyond the Headlines Programme featuring yourself and the former Minister of Youth , Ms. Emmalin Pierre. Hon. Minister, I think that by now you are aware that you may have allowed the former Minister and her cronies to “push your buttons” and facilitated a platform for her and an opportunity for undue media exposure. It is clear, Hon. Minister, as you noted on the programme, that the New National Party is having a hard time coming to terms with their LOSS at the July 8th polls. It is alleged the present Leader of the Opposition has told his supporters that he has given the government six months. The opposition is therefore looking for every opportunity to nitpick and destabilize. A lot rested on Ms. Pierre to deliver the youth vote in the last election. You may not recall that at the final rally in the National Stadium , the present Leader of the Opposition, decked off in his Mugabe outfit, spoke to the youth at the rally telling them that it was their support that would put him back in office. He could not count on the support of people of his age or a little younger. So no doubt, the former Minister of Youth is “ feeling ah pressure” that she failed to deliver after going so far as to accept a CROWN at her political rally for S.E. St. Andrew’s – a clear case of “counting your chickens before they are hatched”!! While I believe that conceptually the Imani programme did have merit, the greatest setback to the programme was its POLITICIZATION. Ms. Pierre sought to make light of the issue that green was the colour for the Imani programme. (She advised that orange and white were also colours worn by the programme). I recall Hon. Minister, that at one of those NNP events - the General Council or Convention of the NNP - that was broadcasted live, Ms. Pierre advised that green was the colour of fertility and that was why green was the colour of the NNP and green was also going to be the colour for the Imani programme. It was clear at the time that Ms. Pierre was politicking. Adequate attention was not paid to the placement of persons. Some persons had the good fortune of being placed in areas for which they had the aptitude and attitude and persons to mentor them. They have done very well. It would appear that the second phase of the programme was more about quantity rather than quality. It was setting the tone for the election campaign and the mobilization for the campaign. But our youth are intelligent and discerning and they understood that they were being USED. There is no doubt that with proper placement, training and opportunities to advance, persons in the Imani programme can make a significant contribution to various areas in Grenada, including the HEALTH services where THERE IS A NEED. I think, Sir, that the concept of CERTIFICATION which will happen under the Grenada Youth Upliftment Programme is an excellent one. Hon. Minister, let the new programme be free of partisan overtones. Ensure that there are clear guidelines and criteria to guide and monitor the programme. Ensure that it is CHAMPIONED by a person(s) GENUINELY interested in youth development, people who will go the extra mile or two to ensure that something TANGIBLE happens and that it is not just ANOTHER PROJECT!! OUR YOUTH NEED HOPE, LEADERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY. Hon. Minister, the task is challenging but you are eminently qualified. As a principal, you have already positively shaped and impacted many young lives. I suggest Hon. Minister that you KEEP IN TOUCH. With your basket ball skills, the basketball court could be an unique way of promoting dialogue and “grounding” with the boys on the block. Hon. Minister, I am confident that with you as Minister of Youth Empowerment and Hon. Franka Bernadine as Minister of Education, the future for our youth does look bright. I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for the holiday season and New Year. Sincerely yours, Sandra C.A. Ferguson INSIDE GRENADA NEWS (The views and opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Inside Grenada News)