KINGSTON, Jamaica – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett says the nine-year tenure of Roderick Rainford as secretary general of the 15-member grouping was historic not only for his seminal role in defining a strengthened integration project for CARICOM, but also because of the deep regional and global crises unfolding at that time.
CARICOM Secretary General, Dr, Carla Barnett paying tribute to the late Roderick Rainford, a former CARICOM secretary general.Rainford, who served as CARICOM secretary general from 1983-1992 died on April 4 at the age of 85.
As she paid tribute to Rainford at “Celebration of Life” held at the University Chapel in Kingston, Barnett said that his tenure was a “baptism by fire” recalling that a few weeks into his role he had to deal with the assassination of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and the military invasion of Grenada which “threatened to rip the integration process apart, at the seams, as ideological differences undermined the very basis for regional coordination and cooperation.
“Secretary-General Rainford was the man for the time. He managed to keep regional integration moving forward by focusing on the fundamental issues of long-term trade and economic development.”
She said the global arena was also in turmoil, with Cold War tensions and high oil prices and that Rainford was pivotal in guiding CARICOM leaders towards agreements set out in the 1989 Grand Anse Declaration to enhance regional competitiveness and remove trade barriers, which are the fundamental principles of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) along with functional cooperation in critical areas such as health and education.
She said the main objectives, as agreed in Grand Anse, were to strengthen regional integration to enhance Member States’ social and economic development.
“The Declaration emphasised the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and equality among the countries, principles which continue to be central to the Caribbean Community which he served with such distinction. He was truly the right leader for that defining period in our Region’s history.”
Barnett said that as secretary general, Rainford was a consistent advocate for self-reliance and environmental resilience.
“His vision for the region helped to shape our representation in the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which delivered a blueprint on the impact of human socio-economic activities on the environment to guide international policy into the 21st century.”
She said he also played an active role in early efforts towards regional financial cooperation linking Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago; in reactivation of the region’s premier cultural showcase, the Caribbean Festival of Arts; and much more.
”Those who had the privilege of working with him remember, not only his exceptional intellect and professionalism, but also the dignity, and respect that marked all his interactions. He earned deep admiration across the Community for his wisdom, foresight, and steadfast dedication to duty.”
She said she had the privilege of meeting Rainford in the mid-1990’s at Central Bank Governors’ meetings when she served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, and he was Governor of the Bank of Jamaica.
“Mr Rainford was always gracious and collegial in his interactions, which were always marked by deep intellectual rigour and commitment to regional integration,” she said, noting that “this regional stalwart has been deservedly recognised with CARICOM’s highest honour, the Order of the Caribbean Community with the Cacique Crown of Honour from Guyana where the CARICOM Secretariat is headquartered, and with the Order of Jamaica, from his own country.
“His legacy endures in the strong foundations for regional cooperation which he helped to build, and in the continued work of the CARICOM Secretariat, where his service and strong belief in collective progress remain a source of inspiration,” she added.
