Kamla: Fathers are key to the future National Development of Trinidad and Tobago

Father’s Day is an opportunity to show our appreciation for fathers and the critical role they play in families and in the community. On this special day, I would like to wish all the fathers of our nation a Happy Father’s Day. I also offer warm greetings to the many individuals who are fulfilling the role of a father to those who are not their biological children, as well as the mothers who are tasked with taking on the role of both.

The job of a father, like a mother, involves a lifelong determination and dedication to ensuring one’s children have the best opportunities, the best way of life possible as well as the ability to achieve their individual dreams. Fathers are protectors, caregivers, role models; they inspire us to be men and women of outstanding character.

We often turn to them for advice, counsel, and words of encouragement. This year, as the world deals with the effects of a global pandemic, many fathers are faced with additional concerns for the health and welfare of their families.

Today, as a national community, we join our voices to graciously thank all father figures throughout our country for the commitment they have demonstrated as their actions of love, advice, kindness as well moral guidance have not only improved the lives of their children but it has laid the platform for a better country.

The inspirational work of fathers throughout our nation, like mothers, has been a potent ingredient in our national success, as they have nurtured the generations who have propelled this country forward.

Therefore, I take this opportunity to remind all father figures that their roles are key to our national development as the dedication, stability, motivation and protection they offer to those in their care provides the platform to create future leaders who will help rebuild our nation.

Today, I am eternally grateful for the role my own father played in my life, inspiring and protecting me, and encouraging me to conquer my fears and pursue my dreams and make them a reality. I would also like to congratulate and commend my own husband, Greg for being a pillar of strength in my own family.

Given the dire state of our nation and the significant issues facing children, I call on fathers, despite the excellent jobs they have done, to be more proactive in their duties to ensure our nation’s children are sheltered from the many ills prevailing in our country. I call on them to be beacons of hope and pillars of strength for our nation’s children, who require guidance and empathy.

My team and I are aware that the last five years have been extremely tough on many fathers given the increases in unemployment, neglect, underdevelopment and crime throughout our nation which have now worsened as a result of the pandemic.

I urge you – do not to lose hope. Today I give a commitment to all fathers, as I do to mothers and all citizens, that the next Government that I lead, through our National Economic Transformation Plan, we will work to ensure each father and caregiver has the opportunity to provide a stable, prosperous as well as a happy way of life for their families.

I give a commitment to ensure that all fathers are equitably included within the national development process based on their diverse abilities, ensuring that they can create success stories out of all those in their care.

May God bless fathers throughout our nation.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP
Leader of the Opposition

21st June, 2020