Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin has thrown her support behind the Emancipation Support Committee’s call for greater unity, while pledging to work with the organization to strengthen and expand African Emancipation Day celebrations.
Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin has pledged to work with the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT), to address its outstanding financial obligations.
Speaking at the Freedom Morning Parade in downtown Port of Spain on African Emancipation 2026, she also vowed to strengthen future Emancipation celebrations.
“I know when we met last year you had several, several, several debts that the Emancipation Support Committee to this time cannot honour, I want to tell you that myself and the desk of the Ministry we are working to make sure that that commitment, and that this festival grows.”
Saturday morning’s activities began with a libation ceremony, performed by ESCTT Director, Elder Equino Moyo, who paid tribute to African ancestors and reflected on their enduring influence.
“When we pour this libation, we acknowledge our ancestors for giving us life, and for being a source of strength and inspiration, and the energy transfer during this act build the consciousness of our being as a people. This consciousness will liberate the mind.”
Members of the Diplomatic corps, Government Ministers and members of the public looked on, as Head of the Emancipation Support Committee, Zakiya Uzoma Wadada, reiterated calls for decolonisation, reparations and direct air travel between Trinidad and Tobago and the African continent.
“We’ve been signing agreements for much too long, we want the plane to come and carry us there, and we want the plane to go there and carry our brothers and sisters here, yes.”
She also called for greater unity within the African community.
“We have to come in this fight together there is much much more that unites us, than divides us, let us stop tearing down each other, and tearing down each other efforts.”
Referencing social challenges such as crime and violence, Minister Benjamin echoed the appeal for solidarity and collective action.
“If we do not stand together as an African community, then who will stand for us, we have to fight for ourselves and we have to fight for our dreams.”
As spoken word performances and folk dances graced the streets of Port of Spain, Minister Benjamin noted that African culture, history and traditions will continue to be celebrated in communities across T&T.