Kamal to get region’s highest award

Former government minister and Caricom Ambassador Kamaluddin Mohammed is to be awarded the region’s highest award, the Order of Caribbean Community, during the Caricom heads of Government meeting in St Lucia. Mohammed, who was a founding member of the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) is unable to travel to St Lucia to receive the award, owing to ill health.

“Chach”, as he is affectionately called, was an MP and minister from 1956 to 1986. He acted as prime minister on several occasions during that period and later served as Caricom Ambassador under the Basdeo Panday UNC regime. In a letter to the Caricom Secretariat dated June 27, 2012, Mohammed said he was pleased to be given the distinguished award.

He said he had fond memories of former prime ministers Dr Eric Williams, Forbes Burnham (of Guyana), Michael Manley (Jamaica) and others. Mohammed said he also served with former Commonwealth Secretary General Sir Shridath Ramphal, while he was Foreign Minister of Guyana.

He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the People’s Partnership Government for nominating him for the “prestigious honour.” The meeting begins in St Lucia this morning. T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is attending.