As Trinidad and Tobago commemorates African Emancipation Day 2026, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is encouraging citizens to honour the legacy of those who fought for freedom by embracing unity, justice and equality. In her message, she recognised the enduring impact of African heritage on the nation’s development and reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding the freedoms won by previous generations.
Read her full statement below:
MESSAGE OF PRIME MINISTER, THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC, MP, ON THE OCCASION OF AFRICAN EMANCIPATION DAY 2026
Today, our nation proudly celebrates African Emancipation Day and the 188th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in 1838 in remembrance, gratitude and hope.
I extend warmest wishes to everyone participating in the many observances taking place throughout our nation. May they be safe, uplifting, meaningful, and filled with the spirit of unity, reflection and pride.
The transatlantic slave trade remains one of history’s greatest crimes against humanity. Millions of African women, men and children were torn from their homeland, deprived of their liberty and subjected to unspeakable cruelty.
Yet no chain could imprison their spirit, no injustice could extinguish their humanity, and no oppression could silence their determination to be free.
Their emancipation helped shape the modern Caribbean and laid the foundations upon which Trinidad and Tobago would grow.
Their descendants have enriched every sphere of our national life: our music, literature, language, faith, festivals, cuisine, education, business, public service, science and sport.
Trinidad and Tobago became the first nation in the world, in 1985, to proclaim Emancipation Day a national public holiday. That historic decision inspired similar observances across the region and beyond. It honoured those whose sacrifice helped build our nation and ensured their story would be preserved for future generations.
The enduring lesson of Emancipation is that freedom is never merely inherited. It must be cherished, protected and strengthened by every generation.
Therefore, the greatest tribute we can pay those who came before us is to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice: one founded on justice, equality, opportunity and respect for the dignity of every citizen.
As we commemorate African Emancipation Day, let us remain united in purpose, steadfast in justice and confident in our shared future.
Happy African Emancipation Day, Trinidad and Tobago. May Almighty God continue to bless our great nation and all its people.