Prime Minister Mitchell launched 'Touching Base' last Wednesday at Cabinet Room in the Ministerial Complex at the Botanical Gardens in St. George’s.

Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Barbadian Barry Collymore told reporters that Dr. Mitchell decided to embark on a series of visits and consultations with people in order to get a greater understanding of the needs, hopes and dreams of Grenadians in an effort to build the country back stronger after the two hurricanes in the past year.

According to Collymore, the Prime Minister plans to visit every community, special group, organisation and work place in Grenada under the 'Touching Base' programme.

He said that Dr. Mitchell agreed on this approach because of his deep concern for the welfare of Grenadians after hurricane Ivan which stuck the island in September 2004 and almost destroyed most of the housing stock.

'Touching Base' includes breakfast meetings with businessmen, social get-togethers and cooks with sporting groups, and cricket and football matches featuring the Prime Minister's teams, as well as town hall meetings with communities to discuss national and community related issues.

It also features meetings with special groups who may have special needs, visits to work places at lunch time and evenings, ‘off-the-record chats’ with members of the media , and sessions with professionals, family days and a “get-fit Grenada’ programme.

Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Elizabeth Henry-Greenidge told reporters that Dr. Mitchell sees interaction with young people and family days as a very important part of the programme.

The Prime Minister who was present at the launch noted that Grenada was dealt a devastating blow by Hurricane Ivan, with significant damage to the productive sectors. He said that Ivan had seriously affected the psyche of Grenadians, and he is very worried about that.

Dr. Mitchell admitted that 'Touching Base' is similar to the “Face-to-Face” programme that was he had launched a few years ago. However, he regarded the new programme as broader in scope than Face-to Face.

The NNP leader said ‘Touching Base’ would be held in a more relaxed and free environment, and there will be more follow-ups to suggestions and points made during consultations. The new programme will also target Grenadians living aboard.

According to the Prime Minister, his ministers would also play an active role in these consultations. "This is not work, I enjoy interacting with people," he remarked.

The Grenadian Leader revealed that at the end of the programme it is his hope that it can be said that the government attempted to reach out on all levels to find the solutions to all the problems facing the country. Grenada has been forced to refinance just under a quarter of its estimated EC$1.5 billion national debt due to falling government revenues.