Trinidad And Tobago Marks Celebrates 38th Republic Day


Accra, 24th September 2014 – The High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, H.E. Mr. Nyahuma Mentuhotep Obika, based in Lagos and Mr. Hilton John Mitchell, the Honorary Consul of Trinidad and Tobago in Accra today hosted a cocktail reception for a cross section of Ghanaians and Trinidad and Tobago nationals resident in Ghana to mark the 38th Republic Day anniversary of the country.

In attendance were Mr. Derwin Howell, Executive Director of Republic Bank Limited, Trinidad and Tobago that supported the event, Ghana government officials, members of the diplomatic community in Accra and representatives of private sector organisations and Trinidad and Tobago residents in the country.

The Day signifies the occasion when Trinidad and Tobago severed its final links with the British monarchy and became a nation in which the supreme power rests in the citizens with its own Head of State.

Trinidad and Tobago has grown over the years to become one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the Caribbean and is listed among the World Bank’s 76 high-income

economies in the world. It has one of the highest GDP per capita of $20,300 (2013 est.) in the Caribbean.

The country’s economy is strongly influenced by the petroleum industry Oil and Gas, Tourism and manufacturing are also important to the local economy. Agricultural products include citrus, cocoa, and other products.

H.E. Nyahuma Mentuhotep Obika hailed the friendly and warm relations exisiting between the two nations and said Trinidad and Tobago is a young Republic that followed in the footsteps of the Repiblic of Ghana led by the indomitable Kwame Nkrumah.

Republic of Trinindad and Tobago and the Republic of Ghana share a ‘VISA FREE’ Protocol and any Ghanaian as well as any national of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago can enter each other’s nation without the requirement of a visa he said.

H.E. Nyahuma Mentuhotep Obika extended warm fraternal greetings to all Trinidad and Tobago nationals residing in Ghana on the ocassion of the thirty-eighth (38) anniversary of the Republic Day in Trinidad and Tobago

H. E. Mr Hilton John Mitchell, Cmilt, Honorary Consul, said the existing positive relationship between the two countries, both past and present is an indication of how far Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana have come as nations

He said Trinidad and Tobago nationals moved to Ghana in the 1960s in response to a call by Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to the diaspora to come and help build a new Africa because of the links and good relations between the two cauntries and said “we celebrate the diplomatic relations our countries have enjoyed over the past years”

Mr. Derwin Howell, Executive Director Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobabago said the Bank’s Presence in Ghana, is more of a return to its origins than a step into new plains as it continues to bring the markets and people of the Caribbean and Africa together.

The Bank he said remains dedicated to making a difference among its stakeholders in all the markets it serves in line with its slogan – “We’re the One for you.”

Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. Dr. Eric Williams, a noted Caribbean historian, widely regarded as “The Father of The Nation,” was the first Prime Minister. In 1976, the country severed its links with the British monarchy and became a Republic within the Commonwealth

About Republic Bank
Republic Bank Limited is one of the largest and most successful independent commercial banks in the English-speaking Caribbean. Republic Bank has served retail-banking customers, corporate clients and governments throughout the region for 175 years.

Today, the Republic Bank Group employs over 4,300 people in 71 branches throughout Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Guyana, the Cayman Islands and Barbados.

Trinidad And Tobago Fact Sheet

Country Name; Official name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Short name: Trinidad and Tobago

Government Type Parliamentary democracy

Executive Branch Head of State: H.E. President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona

Head of Government: Prime Minister, The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, S.C.

Governance history The twin-island, unitary state of Trinidad and Tobago achieved independence from Great Britain on August 31st, 1962. It became a republic in 1976, replacing the Queen of England with its own President as Head of State.

Legal system English common law

Location The two islands that make up Trinidad and Tobago are the two most Southerly of the Caribbean chain of islands, and lie approximately 7 miles North-East of Venezuela.

Climate Tropical with a rainy season from June to December

Size 1,980 square miles or 5,128 square km

Major cities Capital city: Port of Spain

Major city: San Fernando

Population 1,324,699 (January 2011)

Ethnic groups The two major ethnic groups are the descendants of Africans and Indians however, there are also people of French, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese and Lebanese descent.

Language English

Festivals Trinidad and Tobago is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society where all groups exist in harmony. The country has a number of religious festivals and it is not uncommon for people of a different faith to share in some of the food and rituals of another religion. Some of the festivals include Easter (Christianity), Shouter Baptist Liberation (African influenced Christianity), Eid ul Fitr (Islam), Divali (Hinduism) and Christmas (Christianity).

Culture Trinidad and Tobago’s culture is reflective of its varied heritage with influences from Africa, India, China, Europe and South America. While traditional African music and dance and Indian classical music and dance are popular cultural expressions, social commentary and party songs which blend the traditional rhythms with pop, reggae or Latin beats are also quite popular.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival is world renowned and has inspired similarly themed festivals all over the world. Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of the Steelpan, the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century.
GDP US$25.6 billion (2013 est.)

GDP per capita US$19,134 (2013 est.)

Foreign Reserves US$11.8 billion (2013 est.)

Credit Ratings Standard & Poor’s: A/ Stable/A-1; Moody’s: Baa1 Stable

Economy The economy is an open, free-market one, where activity is centered around the processing and production of energy and petrochemical commodities for export. It also includes both heavy and light manufacturing (steel, blocks and cement as well as food and beverages) construction, distribution and restaurants along with financial services.

Energy sector The Trinidad and Tobago economy is driven by the energy sector, which accounts for 44 percent of GDP and 81 percent of exports. Commercial oil production began in 1908 and the country’s first ammonia plant was established in 1959. Trinidad and Tobago, through its energy sector, has long been at the forefront in establishing world class energy processing and petrochemical plants. The country now boasts 11 ammonia plants, 7 methanol plants and 4 LNG (liquefied natural gas) trains. Trinidad and Tobago is also home to the La Brea Pitch Lake, the world’s largest natural asphalt deposit.

Exports US$11.95 billion (2012) – Main market: United States 47%

Main exports: Mineral fuel lubricants, chemicals, manufactured goods

Imports US$8 billion (2012) – Main source: United States 27%

Main imports: Mineral fuel lubricants, machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals

International

rankings

Human Development Index – 67th, Global Competitiveness Index – 92nd

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