News

Government of Montserrat Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Salem Community Action Group for Salem Community Resource Centre

In a momentous occasion for the local Salem Community, the Government of Montserrat, and the Salem Community Action Group have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the handing over of the keys to the newly constructed Salem Community Resource Centre. The event took place in the presence of key stakeholders, including the Minister of Youth Affairs, his Permanent Secretary, the Director of the Department of Community, Youth and Sports Services (DCYSS) alongside representatives from the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). The signing ceremony marked the completion of a long-awaited project that will serve as a beacon for community development and youth empowerment on the Island.   The Salem Community Resource Centre is set to become a hub for education, training, recreational activities, and social services, providing residents of Salem and surrounding areas with a space to gather, learn, and grow. Permanent Secretary, Daphne Cassell, expressed great enthusiasm over the signing of the MOU, emphasizing the building’s transformative potential for youth engagement and community cohesion. She stated that Tuesday was a defining moment in the growth and development of the Salem community. Cassell also pointed out that the new facility not only represents a physical space for young people and residents to connect and thrive, but also symbolizes the Government’s commitment to creating opportunities that promote youth empowerment, education, and well-being. The building was funded by the BNTF, as an initiative designed to support sustainable development through infrastructure projects that benefit the community. It was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Government of Montserrat, the BNTF, and local stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and the Disaster Management Coordination Agency. BNTF representatives, including local Project Manager Mervin Browne noted that the Salem Community Resource Centre is one of the projects funded under the current round of investment, aimed at providing equitable access to key services for local communities. President of the Salem Community Action Group Barbara Bass, emphasized that the signing of the MOU, and the handing over of the keys, Represent the culmination of years of planning and collaboration, signalling the start of a new chapter for the Salem Community. As part of the MOU signing, the keys to the community centre were officially handed over to local authorities, with the promise of continued support and partnership in maintaining the centre’s operations and programmes. The Salem Community Resource Centre will be open to the public, with plans for various activities and events designed to enhance the local community’s social and economic development. The facility will also offer training programs for youth, workshops, and recreational activities, aiming to provide a safe and productive environment for all age groups.

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Montserrat Arts Council Reappoints Jayesh Sadhwani as Interim Marketing Communications Coordinator

The Montserrat Arts Council (MAC) has announced the reappointment of Mr. Jayesh Sadhwani as the Interim Marketing Communications Coordinator. According to a press release by the MAC, Mr. Sadhwani will continue to serve in this pivotal role, where he will be responsible for developing and executing communication strategies that inform, engage, and inspire the public about MAC’s programmes and initiatives. The MAC says his work remains essential in strengthening the MAC’s brand presence and fostering meaningful connections with audiences both locally and abroad. The appointment takes effect immediately. Director of the MAC, Kenneth Silcott, in a statement, said they are delighted to have Jayesh rejoin the team, adding that his creativity, professionalism, and youthful enthusiasm are valuable assets to the organization. Silcott said Mr. Sadhwani’s strategic approach has been instrumental in elevating MAC’s communication efforts, and the MAC looks forward to another productive collaboration.

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Governor, Her Excellency, Harriet Cross Reflects on First Six Months in Office and Key Priorities

His Majesty the King’s representative on Montserrat  has given an overview of her key priorities during her tenure here. Governor, Her excellency Harriet Cross shared these priorities in her six month update interview. Governor Cross says she plans to focus on modernizing the public service, safe-guarding, and access, among other areas. Part one of Governor Cross’ six-month update interview can be found on HM Governor’s Office in Montserrat  Facebook page.

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Montserrat’s Leader of Government Business Gives Insights into Investment Opportunities on Island

Premier and Minister of finance, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade has shared some advice for persons on Montserrat interested in investing. The premier was speaking with the Eastern Caribbean central Bank (ECCB) country manager, Angela Estwick, on ZJB Radio on Monday, as part of Financial Information Month.  Premier Meade is also part of the ECCB Monetary Council. He says there are many investment opportunities on Montserrat, including buying shares from the Bank of Montserrat or investing on the Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange. The premier continued by discussing small business opportunities on Montserrat. He advised persons to explore investment avenues, such as partnerships in the construction field or creating Bed and Breakfasts from unused spaces. Premier Meade also highlighted the business prospect of preserving fruits on Montserrat.

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Agriculture Minister Pushes for Better Trade Data and Marketing

Minister of Agriculture, Honourable John P. Osborne, is emphasizing the need for stronger inter-regional trade as the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) works to meet its updated food security target under the 25 by 25 plus 5 initiative. The programme, which originally aimed to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2025, has now been extended by five years, reflecting the challenges member states have faced in meeting the original deadline. Minister Osborne, who also serves as Chairman of the OECS Council of Ministers of Agriculture, said one of the key issues lies in how trade data is reported. He explained that while statistics often highlight imports from major partners like the United States, they fail to capture the extent of inter-regional trade within the Caribbean.   The agriculture minister also pointed to marketing and information gaps as major barriers to regional trade. He noted that while Jamaica produces large quantities of chicken, regional buyers- including those in Montserrat, are often unaware of these opportunities. Minister Osborne said he plans to continue discussions with the OECS Director General and the CARICOM Secretariat, both of whom have expressed support for his efforts to enhance regional cooperation.

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Montserrat Set to Lead High-Level OECS Trade Discussions This Week

Montserrat will host the Seventh OECS Ordinary Council of Ministers of Trade this week. The Business Trade and Investment Unit, Office of the Premier, says the meeting will take place in Montserrat during the period 15–18 October, 2025. This high-level regional event will convene ministerial delegates and supporting personnel from across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). According to the Unit, the meeting is a critical regional forum, used to discuss key trade and economic matters impacting the subregion. The occasion also marks Montserrat’s assumption of the Chairmanship of the Council of Ministers for Trade. This is a significant milestone, reflecting the country’s commitment to regional engagement, and the island’s growing leadership role in regional trade policy development and economic integration. Over the two-day period, discussions will focus on enhancing intra-regional trade, promoting private sector competitiveness and supporting businesses across the OECS, strengthening trade facilitation mechanisms, and advancing collective strategies for sustainable growth across OECS Member States. Reuben T. Meade, Honourable Premier of Montserrat, says it is an honour and pleasure to host such a distinguished delegation of OECS Ministers, and that this gathering underscore Montserrat’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation and showcasing its unique contributions to the OECS economic framework. In addition to the formal sessions, Montserrat will host welcome receptions to encourage networking among delegates and a special showcase of Montserrat’s goods will highlight local crafts, agricultural products, and cultural offerings, promoting our businesses and tourism. The Government of Montserrat is proud to host this important engagement, which underscores its continued commitment to regional cooperation and inclusive economic development within the OECS framework.

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Pink Ribbon President Calls for Action on Mammogram Services in Montserrat

Specialist Clinical Sonographer and president of Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat, Sonia Charles, has questioned why mammogram examinations are not done on island.  Her question comes following the procurement, installation and commissioning of a mammogram machine here.   Even though the ministry of health, in response, states that they have to fly in staff, that they are one year behind in mammograms, and are working hard to obtain additional staff to correct the extremely worrying problem, Ms Charles counters that much more could be done. Miss Charles recommends actions that could and need to be taken in the interim to help to manage and improve the current situation.

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Dr Sheron Burns Appointed Head, The UWI Global Campus Site, Montserrat

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Sheron Burns as Head of its Global Campus Site, Montserrat, with effect from September 1, 2025.  Dr Burns is an experienced educator and scholar whose career in education began in 1987 after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (Social Sciences) from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), St. Thomas. She began her teaching career with children aged five to seven in Montserrat’s government primary schools, where she played a formative role in early childhood education until 2006. That year, she was appointed Education Officer – Pre-Primary within the Ministry of Education, Montserrat (2006–2014). In this capacity, she spearheaded the development of Montserrat’s Early Childhood Education Policy and introduced the annual June celebration of Early Childhood Education—two initiatives that continue to shape the island’s education system. In 2014, Dr Burns joined the School of Education at The UWI Cave Hill Campus on secondment from the Government of Montserrat. There, she led the development of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Care and Education), significantly strengthening teacher education across the Eastern Caribbean. After returning to Montserrat in July 2021, she continued to contribute to education both locally and internationally. She currently lectures part-time with the University of Guyana, serves as an external examiner and graduate supervisor for universities in Australia, the United States, and the Caribbean. She supports the Montserrat Ministry of Education in its transformation initiatives. Dr Burns holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Elementary Education (Early Childhood) from the University of Alberta, Canada. Her dissertation, Teaching and Learning Using a Child-Focused Approach in a Kindergarten Classroom in Montserrat, underscored her dedication to child-centred pedagogies. She earned a Master of Arts in Elementary Education (Educational Technology/Reading) from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in 1997, completing a thesis on, The Effects of Phonological Awareness Skills and Letter-Sound Correspondence on the Early Reading Ability of Low-Skilled Kindergarten Students, whichreflected her commitment to literacy development. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (2017). Dr Burns’ professional and scholarly contributions have been widely recognised. She was nominated for the Election Management Award (2024) by the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies, and, in 2020, received The UWI Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Multi-Campus Research Collaboration (One UWI Award). Other awards include the Women of Montserrat Bonding (WOMB) Gem Award (2019); the Ministry of Education, Montserrat Award for Contribution to Early Childhood Education (2016); and the Montserrat Progressive Society of New York Centennial Award for Education (2014), among others. Her teaching and research interests include teacher education, play as a pedagogical strategy, education in the Eastern Caribbean, and advocacy for access to culturally and developmentally appropriate early childhood education. She has published widely in these areas, with publications including: Every Learner Succeeds: Reconceptualising Quality in Early Childhood in the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States 2021, Palgrave Macmillan; Early Learning Environments: Embracing and Valuing Home Language (2021, IGI Global Publishers, co-authored with J. Jules); Actualizing Children’s Rights Through Early Childhood Care and Education: A Focus on the Caribbean (2019, Journal of Early Childhood Research, co-authored with Z. Kinkead-Clarke and S. Abdul-Majied); Achieving Quality in Early Childhood Education in the Eastern Caribbean Depends on Teacher Preparation (2018, Early Child Development and Care); and The Ontology and Social Construction of Childhood (2013, in Understanding Child Sexual Abuse: Perspectives from the Caribbean, Palgrave Macmillan). In addition to her professional and scholarly work, Dr Burns is a committed community activist and avid amateur gardener, florist, and photographer. She currently serves as Chair of the Electoral Commission of Montserrat, continuing her contributions to national development and civic engagement. Commenting on this appointment, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Francis O. Severin asserts, “Dr Sheron Burns has joined us at The UWI Global Campus at an opportune time. We are accelerating and augmenting our longstanding and ‘vintage’ commitment to the Eastern Caribbean as the Campus that is most flexible and agile in facilitating and meeting the hopes and aspirations of our people in their hamlets, villages, countrysides, towns and cities. We will not relent, and Dr Burns embodies this sort of intellectual activism and care that adds value to our Regional thrust. It is an especial boon that Dr Burns enjoys the support and confidence of the Government and people of Montserrat. She is not only well respected there but well known and recognised as an authentic and genuine Montserrat and Caribbean patriot whose goal is to advance the people of the Region. This aspiration is in concert with the philosophy of the Global Campus.” The Principal and Senior Management Team welcome Dr Burns to her new role and wish her every success as she transforms the Global Campus Site, Montserrat.

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AI Strategy and Five-Year Plan Headed to Cabinet for Approval

It has been confirmed that a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and a five-year implementation plan is being drafted, marking a major step toward integrating AI into government operations here. Chief Information Officer John Lewis confirmed this during a radio panel discussion on AI and its impact on small islands, Thursday, in observance with ICT Week 2025.  Mr. Lewis said the strategy is now in the process of being submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval. He explained that the proposed framework outlines several key areas, including governance structures, skills development, legislation, and a project-based rollout across ministries. According to Mr. Lewis, the plan also focuses on training and upskilling both technical and general government staff, ensuring that the public sector is equipped to responsibly adopt and manage AI tools. Mr. Lewis added that future work will include identifying and managing data sources, as well as setting protocols for data storage, oversight, and use.

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James “Scriber” Daley Awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire Medal

James Richard Daley was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire medal on Wednesday for Services to the Natural World and Tourism in Montserrat For decades, Daley has been a passionate advocate for Montserrat’s unique environment.  Through his eco-tourism company, Scriber’s Adventure Tours, he has introduced countless visitors to the island’s spectacular rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and rich biodiversity.  His work has not only helped to protect Montserrat’s fragile ecosystems but has also positioned the island as a leading destination for sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. Beyond guiding visitors, Daley has devoted his time and resources to community projects and conservation initiatives, inspiring younger generations to value and preserve Montserrat’s natural heritage.  His efforts have created opportunities for local employment while showcasing the island’s resilience and beauty to the world. Upon receiving the award, Daley expressed his gratitude.

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