Four athletes here and abroad are among twelve Saint Lucians that the Government of Saint Lucia has appointed as Goodwill Ambassadors, with others announced as Brand Ambassadors. Speaking on behalf of the government during a press briefing on Monday, Minister for Culture and Creative Industries, Senator Fortuna Belrose said that Cabinet had ratified the proposal which came out of the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) last year. A committee was appointed to establish the terms and references for the programme which is now finalized. “The Saint Lucia Goodwill Ambassadors programme is proposed as a tool to actualize the national cultural policy in a number of key areas,” Minister Belrose stated. “They are citizens of Saint Lucia who have achieved international acclaim. The overall objective of the programme is to serve as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation and the development of human capital in all sectors related to the creative arts and the industries, sports, visual arts, gastronomy and music.” The ambassadors are expected to represent Saint Lucia locally, regionally and internationally by leveraging their profile and celebrity status to tap into access for growth and to forge strategic partnership between the CDF and other related agencies.
The four Goodwill Ambassadors in the sporting arena are: Multi Sportswoman of the Year and Olympian, Levern Spencer (high jumper); Jermain Colin Defoe (English professional football player); Leslie Ferdinand (former English footballer); and Daren Julius Garvey Sammy, (former West Indies Cricket Captain).
The other eight Goodwill Ambassadors are: Ronald “Boo” Hinkson (music); Gordon “Commissioner” Williams (music); Taj Weekes (music); Jallim Eudovic (arts); Nina Compton (chef/culinary); Joseph Marcell (theatre and film); David Williams (academia); and Ken Chitolie (philanthropy).
The Brand Ambassadors are: Teddyson John (music); Ricky-“T” Joseph (music); Taj Weekes (music); Arthur Allain (music); Lashley “Motto” Winter (music); Johnnick “Freezy” Leo (music); and Johanan Dujon (entrepreneurship).
The title of ‘Your Excellency’ will be conferred on the Goodwill Ambassadors, as well as the Saint Lucia Medal of Merit Gold. They will also be issued with an official or diplomatic passport as awarded by Cabinet and a decorated red “laissez-passer” signed by the Governor General.
