JAN 24

Twelve awards will be presented to organisations and individuals who have excelled and contributed substantially to the development of Grenada over the last 30 years.

That's according to Tourism and Culture Minister Brenda Hood who made the disclosure as she announced the different activities leading up to the February 7th Independence celebrations.

The awards will be given out during a ceremony dubbed Cultural Evening and Pearl Awards on February 5 at the Grenada Trade Center at Grand Anse, St. George's.

The categories identified include Health, Sport, Youth, Education, Culture, Tourism, Agriculture, Fishing, Business, Information Communication Technology, Volunteerism, as well as contributing to the life of the Community both External and Internal.

Also expected to be presented with their prizes are the winner of the Independence Logo Competition, Cindy Mc. Kenzie of Belmont, St. George's and the persons who copped theme for the celebration, Hilda Antoine of Grand Bras, St. Andrew's.

Minister Hood disclosed that another major activity leading up to the celebration is an island wide clean up and beautification campaign to begin this week-end.

The Tourism and Culture Minster launched the activities during a press conference held last Thursday at the conference room of the Ministerial Complex building in the Botanical Gardens.

She used the occasion to appeal to all citizens and residents of Grenada to demonstrate their patriotism by participating in the National clean up and beautification drive.

The event includes the Beautification of a number of government buildings in the country and the other Independence activities to be held.

During the meeting with the press, the senior government minister used the occasion to launch several pre-independence activities organised by the National Celebrations Committee (NCC), the body charged with the responsibility of planning national events.

On February 1, there will be an Ecumencial Service at the St. Patrick's Anglican Church as well as a Rally and Cultural Extravaganza on the sister isles of Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Hood disclosed that a Grenada International Evening, another new event for the celebration, involving a combination of local and international artistes is planned for February 5 at the Grenada Trade Center.

Performances will come from some Taiwanese Americans as well as African and Indian students attached to St. George's University.

According to the Minister, the evening will end with singing from inspirational local choirs and a fireworks display. Other events planned for the 30th anniversary of Grenada's independence include the traditional February 7 Military Parade and Independence Rally at National Stadium at Queen's Park, as well as an Independence Jamboree highlighting culture and food later in the day at St. John's.

The NCC has indicated its willingness to stage other activities as part of the 30th Anniversary of Independence throughout the year. One of the events will be a National Day of Service on April 14, and a Garden Tea Party and National Dress Competition on May 2.

Grenada attained its independence on February 7, 1974 under the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) government of late Prime Minister Sir. Eric Matthew Gairy.

The theme for this year's celebration is "Grenada -recognising our worth, celebrating our achievements, exploring new frontiers.