​Today marks the end of the second annual summer environmental youth workshop hosted by the Mero enhancement committee in collaboration with the Dominica community tourism association and Mahaut girl guides.
 
Over 40 children from the communities of Mero, St. Joseph, Mahaut, Campbell and others attended the fun filled educational opportunity which focused on issues of safety, climate change and environmental protection.
 
Representative of the Mero Enhancement Committee, Josephine Dublin Prince stated that it the hope that the children in attendance of this workshop will be aware of the issues of climate change and be willing to take action.

Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, says revenue allocation and spending authorized in the National Budget, must be subject to proper oversight by the public accounts committee, the audit department, and the budget office.

​He is of the view that this will allow complete transparency and accountability of the funds allocated for the different ministerial portfolios within government.

​Former IMF Economist, Dr. Thompson Fontaine says Dominica’s economy has been on the decline for a decade, and banks are beginning to think outside of the norm, to generate income for their business.
 
He says these radical packages or offers being presented to customers here in Dominica from the banks, is evidence that the economy is failing, as a majority of consumers no longer have the same spending power.

​The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) elected Kira Thompson-Aird as its new president, at its Annual General Meeting, which took place on Wednesday 27th July, 2016, under the theme ‘Strength in Diversity’. She committed to working with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. The meeting also reached out to Small and Medium Enterprises, and the new president promised to pursue strong dialogue between the public and private sectors.
 
She said “Things are not the way they use to be, and I think it was Albert Einstein who said ‘that the one thing constant in life is change.” She noted that there needs to be change in the way things are being done; “we need change in the way we engage, we need change in the way we approach things; and as outgoing president Jeffrey Baptiste said, we need change in our vision and direction”.
 
She noted that the SME sector has a very important role to play in building the Dominican economy. She added that the Association will continue to advocate for public/private dialogue, and that the DAIC is committed to small and medium enterprises, since they are the drivers of economic growth. “We want to look at economic growth as opposed to sustainability,” she added.

​Meanwhile, Managing Director of the National Bank of Dominica (NBD), Ellingworth Edwards, has told private sector veterans to stop hoarding information, and instead, they should mentor young entrepreneurs. Edwards believes this is hindering development within that sector. He made that statement while addressing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), which was held on Wednesday 27th July, 2016, under the theme ‘Strength in Diversity’.
 
Edwards said “It is very sad that there seems to be a feeling of unwillingness to mentor and to share knowledge, which is stifling the sector. Members in the sector are hoarding information; they are not share information”. He suggested that the members should unite for success, adding, “It seems that kind of attitude is prevailing, and it is something that we would have to stamp out as quickly as possible. As singular businesses, we are just too small to go it alone”.
 
Edwards urged the DAIC to be a “bridge” for all businesses, through educating, advising, and mentoring those in need. He also encouraged the association to form alliances and greater partnerships with other organization. He asked the members to be proud and supportive of the organization.
 
He highlighted the need for the DAIC to broaden and strengthen its membership base, as well as the relevance of the organization. “Strength in diversity for DAIC should not only mean numbers—it should also mean the range of services,” Edwards remarked. “So, yes we can build the numbers and have everyone, but we must also build the services that we offer to them. And, by so doing, the DAIC will become more relevant.”

St. John Parish Priest, Fr. Herman Sharplis, says works are progressing smoothly on the Portsmouth Catholic Church

​However, he says funds are still needed to complete reconstruction works, and he is encouraging parishioners and Catholics alike to support a fundraising event carded for July 31, 2016.

The second event of the Public Service Day Celebration 2016, kicks off as a Flea Market tomorrow Saturday July 30, 2016 from 9:00am, at the Ground Floor of the Government Headquarters in Roseau.

​Various items such as furniture, clothing, jewellery, household goods, footwear, plants, picture frames, and many more will be on sale. As part of the rebuilding efforts the proceeds from the Flea market will be donated to a post Ericka community project, in the village of Coulibistrie.

Public Service Day will be celebrated on Friday, December 2, 2016 with an Awards & Recognition Ceremony. The theme for this years’ observance is “Embracing the Challenge: Rethink, Rebuild, Transform.

Minister for Health & Environment, Dr Kenneth Darroux, says, at a recent Conference in Paris, health officials came to a conclusion that an inadequate amount of health personnel appear to believe, that climate change has a direct impact on the health ministry.

​He contends that climate change is an integral challenge to the health ministry, as it has to respond post disasters, to the health issues which will arise after any major disaster.

The Cultural Division and the National Cultural Council will host the ‘2016 Emancipation Walk and Concert’ in Grand Bay today, in efforts to decentralize the Emancipation Festival 2016 activities.

At 5:00 pm, beginning with drums and a ‘libation’ at Tèt Lalé, the walk will proceed to the main venue at Hewlett Centre. Through rituals including libations, official speeches and cultural performances, the walk and concert will pay homage to those Ancestors, who died in the middle passage, and to those who resisted slavery and other forms of oppression. It will also Honor some of those who contributed to the elevation of the Grand Bay community, via their professional, social, political, cultural and other activities.

On arrival at Hewlett Heritage Centre, an Emancipation Drum Circle will be followed by the official ceremony at 6:00 pm. The event will climax with performances by cultural groups and artistes, including Michele Henderson, Sankofa Dance Company, Anyel Pacquette, and Montin Lapo Kabwit.

​There will also be screening of 2 mini-documentaries produced by the cultural division entitled, “Sennsé Builders of Dominica’, and “Screw Pine”. 

The Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA) has launched their 4E’s program in response to Tropical Storm Erika.

According to DHTA Executive Vice President, Stephanie Astaphan, The 4E’s program represents the four pillars of rebuilding after the storm, Education, Entrepreneurship, Environment and Employment.

​These pillars will be implemented through the help of local partners as the program seeks to address social responsibility opportunities after the storm.

Meanwhile, Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association CEO, Frank Comito, says he pleased with 4E’s program launched by DHTA as a response to Erika.

​As one of the sponsors of the program, Comito states that during a crisis the most important thought is sustainability however by thinking long term the DHTA has made provisions for the society’s sustainability for years to come.