Former Chairman of the Eminent Persons Panel, renowned Caribbean diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal, passed away at his home in Barbados at the age of 95 last week. Sir Shridath was the third Chair of the EPP, following Sir Ellis Clarke and Mr Mike Mansoor.
We at the Awards Programme Office would like to extend our condolences to his family and pass along the solicitudes we’ve been receiving from the Country Nominating Committees.
Sir Shridath Ramphal (left) and Awards founder Dr Anthony Sabga
We’d also like to share a letter to the editor of the Stabroek News, penned by our current EPP Chairman, Ambassador Professor Compton Bourne.
Sonny was remarkable for his inexhaustible energy, inestimable knowledge
Stabroek News, September 1, 2024
Dear Editor,
The Caribbean and Guyana lost one of its greatest persons with the death of Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal on 30 August 2024, just a few weeks shy of his 96th birthday.
I knew him for many years in several of his capacities for distinguished and effective leadership of the Caribbean, the developing countries of the world, world consciousness and action at the earliest times for environmental protection and conservation of the global environment for present and future generations, the end of apartheid in South Africa, negotiation of international treaties and agreements with Europe and the USA, advancement of structural changes and development of the University of the West Indies, and Chairmanship of the Regional Eminent Persons Panel of the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Excellence Awards.
Sonny was remarkable for his inexhaustible energy, his inestimable knowledge and recall of critical facts, events and contexts, his mentorship and encouragement of younger professionals, and above all, his undiminished commitment to advancing the welfare of Guyana and the Caribbean.
My wife and I last saw Sonny when we visited with him at his home in Barbados in July this year. He was enthusiastic about my appointment as Guyana’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Brazil, generously provided sound advice and good wishes, and referred me to several important historical documents on the Guyana-Venezuela border matter before the International Court of Justice. He was full of energy and erudite as usual.
Now that that he has gone, we, the beneficiaries of his intellectual, professional and personal legacy to the Caribbean and the wider world, should do no less than remain faithful to his vision and life’s work for human betterment. May his soul rest in peace. We will miss you, Sonny.
Yours faithfully,
Compton Bourne
Guyana Ambassador to Brazil,
Professor Emeritus, The University of the West Indies
Sonny was remarkable for his inexhaustible energy, inestimable knowledge