African Liberation Day: Grenada, Nigeria Highlight Need For Stronger Diaspora Collaboration

Leaders at the year’s African Liberation Day highlighted the need for practical collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean.
The prime minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell and the founder of EMT Foundation, Dr Esther Tonlagha agreed that deeper cooperation in trade, education, and investment is critical to driving development and rewriting the African narrative from within.

The African Liberation Day celebration held in Grenville, Grenada with the theme, ‘African Rooted, Diaspora Rising, Identity Reclaiming’.

Speaking at the event, the Grenadian leader said Africa and the Caribbean share a common history, identity and destiny, stressing that the relationship between both regions must move beyond symbolism into practical cooperation in trade, investment, culture and diplomacy.

The prime minister said Grenada remained committed to strengthening relationships with African nations and building partnerships that would benefit people of African descent globally.

Mitchell praised Nigerians living and working in Grenada, saying their contributions reflected the growing importance of Africa-Caribbean cooperation.

According to him, the future of Africa and the Caribbean must be built collectively through deeper economic partnerships, cultural exchange and investment opportunities.

“We must deepen cooperation in trade and investment by expanding economic partnerships between our nations and create opportunities for businesses and innovation,” he said.

Mitchell noted that although Grenada is a small island nation, it possesses a strong identity and remains determined to play an active role within the global African family.

Reflecting on the significance of African Liberation Day, the prime minister said May 25 commemorates the formation of the African Union in Addis Ababa and symbolises the struggle against colonialism across Africa and the Caribbean.

He said the liberation movement that began in Africa later spread across the Caribbean, leading to political freedom for many nations.

Mitchell, however, noted that Africa and African-descended people still face challenges including political instability, economic injustice and underdevelopment.

The prime minister further called for collective effort in building stronger Africa-Caribbean relations.

He added that true liberation for Africans and the diaspora should include freedom from disconnection and barriers limiting engagement between both regions.

The founder of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, Dr Esther Tonlagha, said Africa represents strength and the future, adding that Caribbean nations must remain part of that future.

Tonlagha said leadership in modern times must go beyond titles and deliver measurable, inclusive and sustainable impact.

“At EMT Foundation, we have consistently prioritised three pillars: empowerment, access and sustainability,” she said.

According to her, stronger collaboration between Africa and Caribbean nations in trade, education and investment would help drive development and create opportunities for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.

She also urged Africans to take ownership of their narratives and work collectively for progress.
“It is our responsibility to tell our own story. No one can do that better than us,” Tonlagha added.