Bridgetown – Channeling echoes of the Pan Africanist era, an emotional Baba John, a student of the Marcus Garvey era lamented the stories of old, the ones that have been told time and time again, about the 346 Bajans who boarded a ship on May 10, 1865, bound for Liberia to help a new republic find its footing in the emerging comity of nations.
By Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
“They left never to see families, never to see friends, never to see culture. We came across these waters, these Atlantic Oceans,” John spoke, in the backdrop of the Ocean where the slaves set off for Monrovia in 1865.
Ugly Memories of the ‘65
It was here, on Bay Street Esplanade that Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley unveiled a plaque her government designed to honor descendants of the 346 brave Barbadians who relocated to Liberia, in ‘65.
More importantly, two of Liberia’s presidents – Arthur Barclay, the 15th president who ruled from 1904 to 1912, and Edwin Barclay, the 18th president from 1943 to 1944 – were descendants of a single voyage of Barbadians in 1865.
For John, the descendants did not travel first class. “There were horrible conditions that they endured, they were chained to one another and were forced to defecate in the belly of a slave ship. “They vomited all across this Atlantic Ocean and we left Barbados, we can say the sharks followed the water because it was feeding time, the deaths were being thrown overboard, the ones who were sickly were thrown overboard.”
The story of Liberia is also a story that Barbadians must come to understand because it is also a story of life and the story of civilization, that some days are strong and good, and some days can be difficult and cloudy, but it is the core of what we have in us that allows us to rise
Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados
It was in memory of the fallen ancestors that their descendants poured out their hearts in the past week, recalling the horrors of the past when their descendants were auctioned off the auctioned blocks. “Our families were once again slithered and worked from can’t see in the morning to can’t see at night and our rewards were lashes instead of wages,” John lamented. “After emancipation, the call went out to those who were liberated, who were freed, to make the trip to Liberia – and that is why we are here today. We want to honor them, we want to pay homage to them, who traveled from these shores to help and build Liberia. And this moment, we see the Sankofa bird as we turn to this rock, the Sankofa bird with the egg in its mouth, protecting future generations.”
Today, a new generation of those fallen heroes who helped build a newly independent Liberia in the 1800s, are aiming to chart a new course.
Prime Minister Motley, credited with trying to bring the Caribbean and Africa together sees a lot of potential for business and economic empowerment, especially with the recent addition of the Afro-EXIM bank. “Together, we shall rise, has to be our rallying call because our separation served only to make others powerful and to aggrandize others, PM Mottley told descendants at the Plaque unveiling last week.
‘Remember this Moment’
For PM Mottley, nurturing the moments of the past week is key for what could be the way forward toward a window of endless possibilities. “We should remember this moment well, that each of us must commit on both sides, to not make this the exception, but to make this the foundation that I believe we can so much more. Let us use this special and emotional moment to commit the army who will not come to work each and every day, to build the bridge between the Caribbean and Africa will be expanded yet again, by those of us who are here and by those of us who choose to use the technology as you are doing. It is only by building that army and claiming our future to be that of togetherness that we can rise as one.”
This was evident during a business session featuring officials from both Liberia and Barbados, where frank exchanges of ideas shed light on how both countries can benefit from each other.
Senator Chad Blackman, Minister of Economic Affairs & Investment, explained that the recognition of the 159th anniversary of the migration of 346 Barbadians to Liberia is indeed history, and one of several means of continuing the bridge and closing the gap between Barbados and Liberia, the Caribbean, and the African continent.
The business forum marked the first time in both countries history that business community in Barbados and the business community from Liberia, met to explore possibilities. “This is a significant moment in our two countries’ history. I’m sure you will all agree that as a global business hub, it would be remiss of us as hosts and me as Minister responsible for investment, not to include a business event where we can showcase and discuss opportunities between our two jurisdictions and how can businesspersons capitalize on the vast prospects for partnerships.”
Barbados, Liberia Have a Lot to Offer
Senator Blackman averred that beyond Barbados’ esteem beaches, the Caribbean Island nation has evolved over the decades, from simply delivering an excellent tourism product and also a well-known for offering a credible investment climate, enhanced by a business-friendly environment, to facilitate businesses of substance, businesses that want to thrive, but simply, Barbados is open for business.
Additionally, he says, “the jurisdiction hosts talented and available pool of quality and competent professionals, a well-educated workforce, a free education and quality delivery from nursery, tertiary and excellent infrastructure. A sound ICT infrastructure, ranked among the top ten jurisdictions across Latin America and The Caribbean, political, economic, and social stability – and an excellent quality of life.”
The NIC is, therefore, proud to announce our vision for the Liberian Diaspora Investment Fund (LDIF) and/or the Liberia–Barbadian Investment Fund (LBIF) a subset of LDIF. This innovative fund, once endorsed by the cabinet, will be a cornerstone for channeling your expertise and investment power into Liberia’s growth. Imagine the LDIF as an investment tool – a mutual fund that leverages your investment alongside others to achieve returns
Mr. Jeff Blibo, Chair, National Investment Commission, Liberia
Jeff Blibo, Chair of the National Investment Commission, who formed part of the delegation representing President Joseph Boakai, sees the potential for what could be a budding relationship that both could be economically beneficial to the two countries. “Building a model that encompasses most elements of the ARREST vision is the focus of the National Investment Commission under the Boakai administration.
While limited infrastructure remains a challenge, Blibo says, the Boakai administration through the NIC, is actively addressing those concerns, recognizing that investment in infrastructure is crucial for sustained economic growth.
The ARREST Agenda prioritizes enhancing Liberia’s image and attracting FDI by implementing strong anti-corruption measures, promoting transparency, and holding officials accountable. Upholding the rule of law and ensuring consistent legal frameworks provide investors with predictability and security. We are committed to improving efficiency and reducing bureaucracy in government institutions to create a more investor-friendly environment.
Mr .Blibo told the forum that Liberia is at a decisive moment and sees the need for the potential of Liberian minds from around the world to shape a brighter future.
Liberia Ready to Pounce, but…
This is why he says the NIC has undertaken a vision for the Liberian Diaspora Investment Fund (LDIF) and/or the Liberia–Barbadian Investment Fund (LBIF) a subset of LDIF. “This innovative fund, once endorsed by the cabinet, will be a cornerstone for channeling your expertise and investment power into Liberia’s growth. Imagine the LDIF as an investment tool – a mutual fund that leverages your investment alongside others to achieve returns. The LDIF will prioritize financing medium and large-sized enterprises (MLEs) – the engines of our economy that create lasting jobs and drive development. The LDIF will offer an accessible and impactful way for you to invest in Liberia’s future.”
The fund he says will establish a minimum investment amount, making participation attainable for a broad range of diaspora investors. The LDIF will be overseen by experienced investment professionals who will manage the pooled capital. These professionals will identify promising MLE investment opportunities, conduct thorough due diligence, and make investment recommendations based on sound financial principles.
In Liberia, there remains opportunities in agri-processing and fisheries, with existing players demonstrating the potential. Similar opportunities exist in value addition for mining and minerals processing, as well as sustainable forestry practices. The services sector is also on the rise, with Liberia’s strategic location and potential for ecotourism offering significant development prospects.
Paul Innis, Vice President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce says, as it relates to innovation and entrepreneurship, Barbados is keen to see and cultivate an atmosphere suitable for collaboration between the two nations to create innovation and entrepreneurship exchange programs. These initiatives must serve as conduits for the exchange for invaluable ideas, best practices, and resources within the realms of innovation for startups and small to medium size enterprises. By fostering a climate that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, Barbados and Liberia stand to collect fresh avenues for economic expansion and employment generation. We must recognize the importance of nurturing people to people connections. While formal agreements and business partnerships are essential, it is equally crucial to foster general understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures, traditions, and values. The Barbados Chamber of Commerce stands as a committed partner in exercising this exercise and new frontier.”
PM Motley, ‘It’s About Time’
Diplomatic observers say, the new-found ties between the countries, while full of promise, will require a lot of work to reap economic and business benefits.
For the immediate future, both countries will be looking to put emphasis on trade relations as there are currently, no trading agreement in place although both countries are members of the World Trade Organization(WTO) and as such, trade is conducted under the basis non-discrimination tenets inclusive of the Most Favored Nation and national treatment provisions.
Beyond our esteem beaches, Barbados has evolved over the decades, from simply delivering an excellent tourism product to also being well-known for offering a credible investment climate, enhanced by a business-friendly environment, to facilitate businesses of substance, businesses that want to thrive. Simply put, Barbados is open for business. The jurisdiction hosts talented and available pool of quality and competent professionals, a well-educated workforce, a free education and quality delivery from nursery, tertiary and excellent infrastructure. A sound ICT infrastructure, ranked among the top ten jurisdictions across Latin America and The Caribbean, political, economic, and social stability – and an excellent quality of life.
Senator Chad Blackman, Minister of Economic Affairs & Investment, Barbados
While emphasizing the long time it took for the two countries to establish diplomatic relations, PM Mottley noted: “The fact that we were able to formally establish those linkages only recently is regrettable, but what must matter is not that these two voyages stand as exceptions, but they must simply be seen as foundations.”
PM Motley declared: “It’s about time, as we have said, and Barbados stands ready to work with our African partners to build that transportation bridge, and that bridge of the sharing of information, and the bridge of the common curriculum that would allow our people to be able to know our common history. I say to you publicly, that you own as Liberians, part of the pride that we own as Barbadians for making this final step of charting our destiny,” Mottley said. “The story of Liberia is also the story that Barbadians must come to understand because it is also a story of life, the story of humans and the story of civilization.”
She urged both countries not to take stability and prosperity for granted, warning: “As we traverse this path of nation-building in both countries, let us not take stability and prosperity for granted. Because, like a house, if we don’t maintain it each and every day, as easy as it has come to us would be as easy as it shall be taken from us. Today signals that they are on both sides of the Atlantic, people who are willing to cement themselves together in unity, to fight the battles not just in our individual countries, but in our regions, and our planet.”