GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has extended condolences to the Bahamas government following the death last weekend of A. Leonard Archer, the country’s former ambassador to the 15-member regional integration grouping.
A. Leonard Archer (File Photo)Archer, a former educator and trade unionist, died last Friday. He was 83.
In its condolence message, CARICOM said that Archer, known by many as Bro Archer, had served his country “with distinction” during his 15 years of representation to the Community.
“He was instrumental in the activities of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), contributing to enhancing the Community’s relationships with international organizations and third states, including the integration of Haiti as a member states”.
CARICOM said that as an avid trade unionist, his wealth of knowledge and expertise in industrial relations helped to shape CARICOM’s Charter of Civil Society and that his “legacy includes a solid contribution to education and the professional formation of young people in his homeland…and by extension, the region”.
Archer served as president of the Bahamas Teachers Union, secretary general of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress, president of the Caribbean Congress of Labour, and was a founding member of the Commonwealth Foundation for Civil Society.
In 1981, Archer took part in the teachers strike, which brought him in direct conflict with the Pindling administration.
“As leader of that strike, I exchanged some bitter words with government,” he told a Bermuda newspaper in 1984.
After the strike ended, he was faced with vitriolic attacks from pro-government agents and labeled a political figure.
“I learned from friends of mine that members of the government had said they were going to get me and it was only a matter of how and when,” he said.
Two years later, at age 43, Archer received a letter from the Department of Public Personnel, informing him that the Department of Education suggested that he be retired “in the public interest”.
Though he tried to fight the action, the government ignored him and he was eventually given his retirement letter.
He was exiled from public education but continued in the trade union movement.
In 1992, he was appointed The Bahamas’ High Commissioner to CARICOM. He served until 2007.
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said Archer was set to celebrate his 84th birthday next month, adding that he had known him “from early childhood”.
Civil Society Bahamas said Archer “played a pivotal role in shaping our organization” adding that “his contributions have profoundly benefited our organization, the nation of The Bahamas, and the Caribbean region”.
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said Archer was a dedicated ambassador.
“When I first served as foreign minister under the Christie administration, I had the honour of working closely with Ambassador Archer on CARICOM matters including at the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) on the integration of Haiti as a member state,” he said.
“Ambassador Archer served with dedication and honor to his country as our Ambassador to CARICOM from 1992 to 2007.”
Archer is predeceased by his wife Stella, and is survived by his children, Corey, Nicole and Julian; and his siblings Paula, Genevieve, Shirley, Bridgette, Jocelyn, Trevor and Rochelle; and other relatives.
