Guest Columns

A popular quote attributed to Benjamin Franklyn aptly summarises the situation that Trinidad and Tobago finds itself in: “He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.” These cautionary words warn that relying on debt often leads to stress, and the heavy burden of repayment for the person borrowing. The same …

On 30 August 1962, speaking at a youth rally, Dr Eric Williams stated the now famous words: “You carry the future of Trinidad and Tobago in your school bags.” Dr Williams’ address linked our nation’s success directly to education and the development of our youth. And we have much to …

In 1937 Trinidad and Tobago, life was not easy. Worker abuse, underpayment of workers, and overt racism were not uncommon. The economy was in decline, affected by the great depression globally. Living standards of the working class fell considerably. Conditions were ripe for social unrest—and importantly, for change. There had …

Monday morning, 5:45am, Curepe junction. Three maxis pass me—full. Fourth stops. Driver leans out: “Only Sa Wa.” I begged to get to Port of Spain. Got to work 20 minutes late again. Conductor short-changed me. I didn’t even bother to argue anymore. I understand why UNC supporters say rail costs …

Speaking at Indian Arrival Day celebrations in Penal on 30th May 2026, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar called for national unity. She stated that: “We have no Mother India, we have no Mother Africa, we have no Mother China, no Mother Europe, no mother other nation. What we have is Mother …

Silence is not peace. It is the beginning of social decline. Too many of us are witnessing lawsuits used not only as instruments of justice, but as instruments of pressure and silence. There is an increasing effort to silence our citizens. I have come across a global term that more …

In 1942, Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter coined the term ‘creative destruction’. It describes a process where innovative products, technologies, and business models continuously replace outdated ones. New firms and jobs are created, and old ones die. In Trinidad and Tobago, we experienced creative destruction in the past century. Sugar (and …

Unlike Cro Cro, Gypsy and Sugar Aloes, Dr Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool has spoken in 2026. But one wishes that, in this year of the 50th anniversary of his first Calypso Monarch crown, this indisputably influential personality had chosen to say more. Everybody, I submit, would have won… There is very …

The UNC won the 2025 general elections promising to transform Trinidad and Tobago’s economic fortunes, treat workers fairly and address the crime situation—all important domestic issues. And as expected, as the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led Government marks a year in office this month, commentators and analysts have opined on their performance in …

What will history remember about Carnival 2026? Not the mas, for sure! Post-Minshall, mas has been eminently forgettable. Most, especially the Catholic Church, will remember the sex toy distribution and forget what Tribe played. Pan? Perhaps. The narrow Exodus win, their sixth in all, over a consistent Renegades, leading the …

Dogs, we have heard from since the Rock of Ages was a pebble, are man’s best friend. On the evidence Bobby and I have accumulated, it would seem they get along pretty well with calypsonians too. I think it’s a safe bet that if there were a part of the …

The danger was never the word. The danger… was that it sounded familiar. Once upon a time, leadership had a language. It was measured. It was deliberate. It understood that words, once spoken, carried weight far beyond the moment in which they were uttered. Today, it seems, we are learning …