Messages and Speeches

Message from Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of the International Day of People with Disability 3rd December, 2018

As we celebrate the International Day of People with Disability, let us pledge our commitment to building a society that enables all persons with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential. This year’s theme, Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality highlights the importance of safeguarding and promoting the rights ...

Excerpts from an Address by Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, ORTT, to the TRINBAGO UNIFIED CALYPSONIANS ORGANISATION (TUCO) on the occasion of its 25th anniversary and Annual Calypso History Month Gala 2018 (28/11/2018)

Good evening

Even as we gather to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of the TRINBAGO UNIFIED CALYPSONIANS ORGANISATION, (TUCO) the calypso fraternity and nation continue to reel from the loss of three bastions of the calypso art form in the short space of just two months. Shadow, the ...

Fellow citizens, today, thousands of citizens across our nation will break their fasts and offer prayers to Sri Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. On this auspicious occasion, families and communities will join together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil.
Divali, the festival of lights, commemorates the return of Lord Rama from exile, his defeat of the evil Ravana and the liberation of his wife Sita. The five-day period is cause for both joy ...

Her Excellency the President, together with the citizenry, looked on with mounting horror and grave concern at the immediate and after effects of last week’s deluge. Whether caused by Act of God, omissions or commissions of institutions or individuals or any combination thereof, this is not the time to ascribe blame.

It is the time for us all to come together as a nation to render whatever assistance we can to those in such desperate need. Many of our individual and ...

Fellow citizens, on 31st August 1962, Trinidad and Tobago shook off the reins of colonialism and dared to go it alone. To the tolling of bells, the Union Jack was lowered for the final time and the Red, White and Black hoisted to signal the birth of our nation.

In his Independence address, Dr Eric Williams, our nation’s first Prime Minister, charged the citizens of this land always to place first the national interest and cause. He further proclaimed amidst great ...

Message to the Nation from
Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes,
President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
on the Occasion of Labour Day 2018

On July 19, 1937, pastor, labourer and firebrand revolutionary Uriah ‘Buzz’ Butler led local oilfield workers in a nationwide strike which culminated in the deaths of fourteen people and the arrest and detention of dozens more. This event, the anniversary on which we commemorate Labour Day, proved to be a watershed for ...

Message to the Nation from
Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes
President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
on the Occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr 2018

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the end of the period of Ramadan, a month-long commitment to fasting, prayer and contemplation by Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the season in which the Prophet Muhammad received divine revelation and in which one night is described by the Holy Qur’an as being better than one thousand months.

The Islamic community of ...

Congratulations Jereem Richards. The country is once again bathed in golden light thanks to your magnificent victory in the Commonwealth Games 200m Men’s Final.

This is the first time since 1966 that Trinidad and Tobago athletes have won multiple Gold Medals at the Commonwealth Games – Michelle-Lee Ahyee’s historic Women’s 100m Final Gold Medal and now Jereem’s.

As Patron of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, I also take this opportunity to recognise our other historic medal-winner Dylan Carter who won this ...

I congratulate sprinter Michelle Lee Ahye on her historic Commonwealth Gold Medal in the Women’s 100 meter final. Ms. Ahye’s world class performance is a shining example of what I meant when I encouraged citizens to be the light. Michelle fanned her personal flicker of self-belief with hard work and commitment and now her light shines golden.

I am delighted for her and for our country. Ms. Ahye’s mother generously declared that this medal belongs not only to Michelle but also ...

Message From
Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes
President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
On the Occasion of Easter 2018

Easter is the principal and oldest festival of the Christian Church.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ Our Lord, which Easter celebrates, is a foundation of Christian faith and celebration is fitting because Easter, with its guarantee of acceptance, hope and an eternity of joy, follows a period of anguish, rejection and despondency.

While Christmas with all its hype might appear ...