Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Health
  • News
  • Love Therapy
  • World
  • Africa
Friday, Sep 5, 2025
Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News HubPlus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
World

Barbados finally sets date to remove 200-year old statue of British slavery sympathizer

Kweku Jasper
Last updated: November 3, 2020 8:25 am
Kweku Jasper
Share
SHARE

In a move to leave its colonial past behind, the Barbados government is now all set to remove the statue of Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson from the National Heroes Square in the heart of the capital, Bridgetown.

The statue, which has stood in the city for over 200 years, will be removed on November 16, 2020, on International Day of Tolerance, a year before dropping Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.

Announcing the decision which he described as “a step towards the healing of the Nation”, John King, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, said, “This is indeed an ultimate statement of confidence in who we are as a people and what we are capable of achieving.”

“As we amend the Constitution to have a Barbadian Head of State, and as a symbol of the maturity of our democracy, it is imperative that we reexamine notable elements of our colonial past. Cabinet’s decision to remove the statue is part of this process as we seek to promote national identity as part of a modern Barbados.”

- Advertisement -

The recent wave of black consciousness that swept over the western world attracted calls for lingering symbols of slavery and colonialism to be removed across the world. An online petition calling for the removal of the statue led by former journalist Alex Downes garnered thousands of signatures in Barbados.

proudly force ourselves to relive the traumas our people have faced by having this statue stand in Heroes Square?” Downes questioned.

The 30-year old Barbadian further called on the Government of Barbados to replace the statue with a symbol of unity which acknowledges the true work of the country’s heroes.

The statue of Nelson – a British Navy officer — was erected over two centuries ago in honor of his victory against French forces in the Valley of Trafalgar. However, Nelson’s staunch support for the Transatlantic Slave Trade has attracted tremendous criticism in recent times.

According to a letter penned by Nelson to his friend, Simon Taylor — a British plantation owner in Jamaica — in regard to slavery, he remarked: “I have ever been and shall die a firm friend to our present colonial system…neither in the field or in the Senate shall their interest be infringed whilst I have an arm to fight in their defense, or a tongue to launch my voice against the damnable and cursed doctrine of Wilberforce and his hypocritical allies.”

- Advertisement -

Apart from Barbados, many people across the globe support the symbolic act of reclaiming dignity and exposing long-celebrated racists. Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago have strongly called for the removal of statues of Christopher Columbus.

//

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
ByKweku Jasper
Follow:
I am a multi talented African son growing up in a cold but hot world, where nothing is what it seems to be. I am an optimist by faith, R.N by profession, Web developer by practice, Tech preacher by decision, promoter by love, blogger by inspiration, photographer by occupation, marketer by calling, satirist by tribe, entrepreneur by origin, events manager by love, non-bias and rich by choice, illustrious by divine arrangement and Ghanaian by law. I am a Data Scientist by curiosity, ML & Al fun, a Cybersecurity advocate, SEO consultant & a UI/UX Researcher. Simply put, I am all things to all men at all times.
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Let's Connect

304.9kLike
3.04MFollow
304.9kPin
844.87MFollow
40.49MSubscribe
39.5kFollow

Popular Posts

PRESS RELEASE BY KETA MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY ON SUSPECTED COVID-19 CASE AT ABUTIAKOPE

Kweku Jasper
5 Min Read

Bank of Ghana approves free mobile money transaction, increases daily transaction limit

Kweku Jasper
2 Min Read

THE 10 AFRIKA’S GREATEST CHALLENGES

Kweku Jasper
11 Min Read
Volta Region records second Covid-19 death

Female patient died of infectious covid-19 in Ho, Volta Region

Kweku Jasper
3 Min Read

You Might Also Like

HealthVideoWorld

Facts Tell: How has China responded to coronavirus crisis?

0 Min Read
AfricaNewsWorld

US GOV’T LIFT VISA RESTRICTIONS ON GHANA

1 Min Read
MoviesWorld

Black Panther lead actor, Chadwick Boseman dies at 43 after 4-year fight with colon cancer

7 Min Read
Ghana hits 566 cases of Covid 19
HealthLatestWorld

Coronavirus vaccine on track for FDA approval by end of 2020, says Operation Warp Speed official

5 Min Read

Social Networks

Facebook-f Twitter Gitlab Youtube Medium Telegram Twitch Rss

As Seen On

Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub
Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub
Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub
Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub

Ghana West Africa

Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub
Plus233 - Ghana's No.1 News Hub
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?