Youth and agriculture development should be given greater focus in the business of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States(OECS) in the coming year. 

That view was expressed by Dominica’s Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit on Wednesday in his new role as Chairman of the OECS Authority-the highest decision making body of the OECS.

In an address at the opening ceremony in Grenada under the theme, Restoring Trust in Government, the Dominican leader gave notice very early in his tenure that youth and agriculture development should be given priority.

“Speaking for myself, I can think of no other areas of endeavour to focus our energies, and that would befit my tenure, than that of youth and agriculture development. I look forward as the Patron of the OECS Youth Initiative, which is currently under formulation by the OECS Secretariat, to be able to share with my colleague OECS Heads of Government and to the youth and wider population of this sub-region, the many challenges facing our youth in the region,” the Dominican leader enunciated.

The Dominican Prime Minister who is also a former Minister of Education and Youth Affairs and a former College lecturer said that under the OECS Youth Initiative, programmes are being developed in the following areas: Youth in Education; Youth in Sports; Youth In Business; Youth in Science and Technology and Youth Leadership and Mentoring programmes.