By Val Matthias. Updated 7:58 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ new Consul General to the United States, Roland Patel Matthews, has called for greater involvement by Vincentians living abroad in national development, urging them to invest in the country, share their professional expertise and help mentor young people.
Matthews made the appeal in his maiden address as Consul General during a flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in New York City on Tuesday, October 27, as Vincentians in the United States commemorated the country’s 47th anniversary of Independence.
He said there was considerable potential to strengthen the relationship between Vincentians overseas and their homeland, with the diaspora playing a greater role in supporting development at home.
“As Consul General, I see tremendous potential in deepening these connections,” Matthews said, identifying investment, professional expertise, youth mentorship and support for community projects as areas in which nationals abroad could make a meaningful contribution.
The Consul General also stressed that rebuilding the nation must extend beyond physical infrastructure to include strengthening confidence, unity and a shared commitment to national progress.
Speaking under the Independence theme, “Hand in Hand, Rebuilding Our Nation,” Matthews said national development required the participation of government, the private sector, civil society, churches, educational institutions, community organisations and citizens.
He said rebuilding meant creating opportunities where they had been lost, strengthening communities and restoring hope among people who had become discouraged.
Matthews also used his maiden address to highlight the historical significance of the Garifuna people, describing their struggle for dignity and self-determination as an inseparable part of the wider Vincentian story.
He paid tribute to the Garifuna community, whose ancestors were forcibly deported from St. Vincent in 1797 following British colonial campaigns. He noted that, despite displacement and separation from their ancestral homeland, the community had preserved its cultural identity, language, traditions and collective memory.
He urged younger generations to understand their heritage not simply as something to remember during ceremonial occasions, but as a source of identity, pride, strength and responsibility.
Matthews further reflected on the challenges St. Vincent and the Grenadines has faced as a small developing state, including economic hardships and natural disasters.
Recalling the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière volcano, he said the crisis demonstrated the resilience of Vincentians, highlighting the support provided by neighbours, families, communities and nationals overseas.
He said those experiences reinforced the importance of collective action when the country faced difficult circumstances.
The Consul General also paid tribute to generations of Vincentians whose struggles and sacrifices contributed to the country’s independence, noting that the achievements enjoyed today were built on the efforts of those who came before.
The flag-raising ceremony brought together Vincentians, representatives of the Garifuna community, New York City officials and Caribbean diplomatic representatives to celebrate the Independence anniversary.
Matthews closed his address by reaffirming his commitment to working for the betterment of the Vincentian people, saying the country must continue its efforts to build a stronger future.
His maiden address placed particular emphasis on strengthening ties with the diaspora, preserving the country’s historical heritage and encouraging collective responsibility for national development.
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About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at valmatthias188@gmail.com
