Listen to the New York Connection Independence edition with Harold Pysadee

My Fellow Grenadians,

It is my pleasure to join with you in the observance, in fact the celebration of the 37th Anniversary of our independence.

As I do so, I take the opportunity to call on everyone, all citizens of our dearly beloved country, living at home and abroad, to take the opportunity to renew your commitment to nation building.  As I have demonstrated before I will be a partner with you in this important exercise of renewal and re-commitment. 

As a people, we can proudly say that over 37 years we have come a very long way.  Yes, we have faced problems and experienced setbacks as we are experiencing now, but in a sense these have helped to strengthen our resolve to build and rebuild where necessary, as we fashion a country and a nation of which we ourselves and those who come after us can be justly and truly proud.

The road to independence was indeed rocky and difficult.  But the country and the process were brilliantly led by the late visionary and patriot, Sir Eric Matthew Gairy who, as he fought and won independence for all Grenadians,  saw what his detractors could not see and understood what his detractors could not understand. 

Today we are a proud nation celebrating 37 years of independence because of his leadership and vision in spite of the determined opposition of those who did not want it to happen, those who  wished that we  remained a colony.

Being a grateful people we remember with deep gratitude the assistance received from our friends in the international community and our Caribbean brothers and sisters when our backs were truly against the wall.  We are also grateful of the unstinting support of the many international and regional donor and developmental organizations which came to our assistance over the years.

In the context of the prevailing international climate, we know that the road ahead will be rough. We know that it will not be easy.  

We are confident that one day, we shall be able to stand as a proud people and say yes we have struggled and have travailed and persevered.  But through it all and in spite of our differences we have stuck to the task of nation building and now we can be truly and justly proud.

And when that day comes we shall not rest but we shall re-set our sights, establish new goals and prepare ourselves for new challenges, as we are always aware that the tasks of nation building are never complete.

My friends, as leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Grenada, I take very seriously my responsibility to contribute to the process of nation-building as I did when I held the office of Prime Minister for thirteen years.

In spite of the difficulties I shall continue to carry on this responsibility with all my strength and with my whole heart.

On behalf of my family, the members of Her Majesty’s Opposition in Parliament and on my own behalf I say – HAPPY INDEPENDENCE EVERYONE !!