ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has warned Grenadians that 2023 will not be easy as his administration, elected to office last year, starts laying the foundational structures for a resilient country where citizens will be more equipped to face both internal and external challenges.
“The next 12 months will not be easy. Our team has set ambitious targets in year one because we have a clear vision for the future of our beloved nation,” Mitchell said in his New Year’s message.
“We are also mindful that 60 months, or five years, may seem like a long time, but, in the scope of governance, it can go by very quickly,” he added.
Mitchell, who led his National Democratic Congress (NDC) to a 9-6 victory over the New National Party (NNP) that had previously won all 15 seats in the last two general elections, said that there is much to be done as the government seeks to set the island on a path toward sustainable development and self-sufficiency.
“As we embark on this journey of transformation and positive change, our success, as a country and as a people, requires us also to transform our thinking. To move Grenada forward at the pace that we would like, we need every Grenadian, at home and abroad, to be a part of our nation’s progress”.
He called on all citizens to contribute towards the development and transformation of the island, saying that among the threats facing the nation are climate change and the increasing cost of living.
“We need all hands on deck to survive and thrive in an increasingly unpredictable global climate. The threat of climate change on its own, and the authentic and existential effects that sea level rise holds for the future of our island state, are enough to help us realize that we need to band together.
“The negative fallout from the war in Ukraine, on the heels of a devastating global pandemic, continues to adversely affect global supply chains, increasing the cost of food and fuel and worsening an already high cost of living,” he told citizens before explaining that saving the island from the unpredictable event is a responsibility of nationals.
“In light of the above, no one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves. As we move forward into this New Year with a solid plan to lay a foundation that will empower our people, I ask that we all embrace the opportunities to grow, develop new skills, and unite for the betterment of all Grenadians,” Mitchell said.
The 44-year-old attorney said these are not times for party politics and hostile rhetoric that seeks to divide the small population.
“The election period and the usual transitional processes accompanying a change in power are now over. It is now time to look at the bigger picture.
“A prosperous and more resilient Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique benefits us all and creates the brighter future we all want for our children and their children. Let us open our minds and hearts and commit to working together towards attaining our goals,” Michael said.
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