The Ministry of Culture and Community Development has announced the appointment of a new Board of Commissioners for the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC).
The incoming Board was presented with their instruments of appointment by the Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, during a brief ceremony, themed “We Jammin Still!” held at the Ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday July 16th, 2025.
The members of the new NCC Board are as follows:
· Mr. Peter Kanhai – Chairman
· Mr. Kevan Gibbs – Deputy Chairman
· Mrs. Beverly Ramsey-Moore
· Mr. Ainsley King
· Mr. Imran Beharry
· Mr. Neil Iwer George
· Mr. John Michael Ali Bocus
· Mr. Robert Abdool-Mitchell
· Mr. Mark Ayen
The Ministry said the appointment follows its continued efforts to revitalise and modernise Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural governance framework, ensuring that essential institutions under the remit of the Ministry like NCC are equipped with the leadership and operational capacity required to meet both local and international demands.
Furthermore, it stated that Carnival 2026 stands as a central focus of the incoming Board’s agenda. The newly appointed Chairman, Mr. Peter Kanhai, also gave insights into the Board’s immediate priorities, which include strengthening the NCC’s institutional framework, enhancing transparency in governance, and deepening community engagement across all Carnival-related activities. He acknowledged the weight of the Commission’s mandate and expressed confidence in the collective capacity of the Board to uphold and elevate the legacy of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival on both national and international stages.
Minister Benjamin, in delivering remarks at the ceremony issued a mandate to the new Board, tasking them with strategically advancing the development and global positioning of Carnival as “the greatest show on earth”. As such, she reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival not only promotes our culture but it creates jobs, earnings and promotes community development. Minister Benjamin, reaffirmed the Ministry’s vision stating that, “Carnival is more than an event, it is a living expression of our people’s creativity. In keeping with that, this new Board is expected to further build on that legacy, while positioning Carnival as a leading global festival. One that celebrates our cultural identity and attracts even greater international recognition and revenue.”
Other key priorities for the new NCC Board include strengthening regional and international partnerships in and out of the Carnival season, enhancing internal operations, supporting both traditional and emerging Carnival art forms, as well as expanding global marketing efforts to position Trinidad and Tobago as the cultural destination of choice for the upcoming season.
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development extends congratulations to the newly installed Board of Commissioners and commits to working alongside NCC in delivering an enhanced and inclusive Carnival 2026 experience. This aims to reflect the diversity of local culture while prioritising sustainability, as well as maintaining its international appeal.
