Sir Shridath Ramphal ‘truly deserved the title of Caribbean Man’
Published:Saturday | August 31, 2024 | 6:21 AM
President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali hailed Sir Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal as an outstanding statesman, a regionalist par excellence, and a committed internationalist.
Sir Shridath, a former Guyana government minister and Commonwealth secretary general, died yesterday at the age of 95. His family said in a statement that Sir Shridath passed peaceful surrounded by his children.
“The passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal marks the end of an era, not only for Guyana but for the entire Caribbean and the Commonwealth of Nations,” said President Ali.
“We mourn the loss of an outstanding statesman, a regionalist par excellence, and a committed internationalist. Sir Shridath’s life was one of magnificent service – dedicated to his homeland, to the region, and to the world.”
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, said, “if ever there was one who walked among us who truly deserved the title of Caribbean Man, it was Sir Shridath Ramphal. At the same time, if ever we needed a definition of the term Global Citizen, a look at the résumé of Sir Shridath would be all we require.”
He was born in Guyana but left a formidable footprint in virtually every nation of this region, Mottley noted.
“As a region, we have produced many outstanding leaders in a multitude of areas – great men and women who made it clear to the world that we would never be defined or confined by our size. But there is a smaller group that stands at the pinnacle of Caribbean greatness, people whose lifetime of labour for the betterment of West Indian people has compelled us to view them, not by the country of their birth, but by their efforts to make us recognise and honour our oneness,” said the Barbados PM.
Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, said Sir Shridath was a son of the region and a leading international statesman.
“His influence extended beyond our shores to the international arena, where his decisive leadership as Commonwealth secretary general impacted outcomes on global matters, including the ending of apartheid in southern Africa. Further, his deep intellectual interest in regional development issues led to significant publications, which are an invaluable legacy for the young people of our region,” Mitchell said.
Former prime minister of Jamaica, PJ Patterson, noted that Sir Shridath's life was a testament to the power of intellect, diplomacy, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
“As we bid farewell to Sir Shridath Ramphal, we commit ourselves to honoring his legacy by continuing the work he began. His life's mission reminds us of the power of diplomacy, the importance of standing up for what is right, and the profound impact that a dedicated individual can have on the world stage,” Patterson said.
TOWERING FIGURE IN INT’L DIPLOMACY
Sir Shridath, born on October 3, 1928, in New Amsterdam, British Guiana (now Guyana), was a towering figure in international diplomacy and a cherished elder statesman of the Commonwealth and the Caribbean.
Educated at King’s College London and Gray’s Inn, London, Sir Shridath was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Lady Lois Ramphal, on September 20, 2019.
Sir Shridath’s distinguished career spanned numerous pivotal roles: assistant attorney-general of the West Indies Federation, minister of justice and foreign affairs of Guyana, and secretary-general of the Commonwealth. He also held concurrent positions as chancellor of the University of Guyana, The University of the West Indies, and Warwick University.
He was the only individual to have served on all the Global Commissions that produced landmark reports on the environment, development, and disarmament between 1980 and 1995. As chairman of the West Indian Commission, his 1992 report, ‘Time for Action’, remains a seminal blueprint for Caribbean development.
Globally respected, Sir Shridath served in various capacities, including president of the World Conservation Union, special adviser to the UN Conference on Environment and Development, and chief negotiator for the Caribbean on External Economic Relations. He was also a mediator and facilitator in elections and constitutional crises.
As the longest-serving Commonwealth secretary-general from 1975 to 1990, Sir Shridath was instrumental in the fight against institutional racism in Southern Africa, playing a key role in the termination of apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela once said of him: “He is one of those men who have become famous because, in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the whole world as their theatre.”
In his later years, Sir Shridath continued to serve with distinction. At 92, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he was the first lawyer to appear virtually before the International Court of Justice, representing Guyana in a significant border dispute with Venezuela.
Sir Shridath was the recipient of numerous prestigious honours, including the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), the Order of Excellence of Guyana (OE), the Order of Merit of Jamaica (OM), the Order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo from South Africa, Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), and an appointment to the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand’s highest civil honour.