Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde has condemned the recent act of violence against a 72-year-old man, describing the incident as deeply troubling and a reminder of the need to safeguard Barbados’ elderly population.
Hal Prescod, 72, was reportedly accosted and beaten by a teenager in an incident that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, sparking public outrage.
In a statement last night, Forde said that as minister with responsibility for the elderly, and as a representative of the people of Barbados, he was placing on record his “deep concern for the welfare, protection, and dignity of our nation’s older persons”.
“The recent incident of violence against a senior citizen has strengthened my resolve and that of this Government to ensure that our elderly are not only respected but safeguarded and empowered,” he said.
Forde said Barbados’ senior citizens were instrumental in shaping the country into the modern nation it is today.
“Our senior citizens built this country. They shaped post-Independence Barbados into the modern, 21st-century nation we proudly call home. Their labour, their sacrifice, and their resilience laid the very foundation upon which we now stand. They deserve not only our gratitude but our unwavering protection and support as they enjoy their well-earned golden years,” he added. (HG/PR)
