by Linda Straker
- 105th Meeting agreed image of Queen Elizabeth II should be replaced on EC denominations
- Monetary Council recommends using ECCU logo, subject to public consultation process
- Grenada’s 50th anniversary note expected to be circulated in second half of 2024
Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall was among members of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Monetary Council who agreed at its 105th Meeting that the image of Queen Elizabeth II should be replaced on the various denominations of the Eastern Caribbean (EC) currency.
Queen Elizabeth II was head of the Commonwealth membership including former colonies of Great Britain, and symbolic Head of State of all members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).
The Council agreed that the image should be replaced, but a final decision is yet to be made as to who and what will replace her image. According to the meeting’s communique, the Council recommends using the ECCU logo, subject to a public consultation process until 31 December 2023. “During this time, the public will be invited to comment on the proposal to replace the Queen’s image with the ECCU logo and to offer any other suggestions.” A final decision on the new image for the EC currency will be made by February 2024.
The Council also agreed and approved the issuance of a commemorative $50 note to mark Grenada’s 50th anniversary of independence. Grenada will celebrate its 50th anniversary on 7 February 2024, and the note is expected to be circulated in the second half of 2024, according to the communique.
In June, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell announced in a national address that his cabinet had approved the proposal to make the special request to the Monetary Council.
The Monetary Council is the highest decision-making authority of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and comprises the 8 Ministers of Finance from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica. Camilo Gonsalves, Finance Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, is the current chairman.
You still enjoy support and finances from the UK. Why should she be removed completely? When I first saw EC dollars I exclaimed it is the most beautiful money I have ever seen. NO UGLY LOGOS. UGLY LOGOS are a political move unbecoming of the Region. I prefer to see the Queen’s image either stay on one denomination, be replaced by King Charles on one denomination and then put significant HISTORICAL FIGURES on the rest. You have other small images representing all the islands using EC currency now so follow through with other images. Canada has the Queen, soon to be the King, but also other historical persons, and make sure it’s NOT JUST historical MEN. We want to see WOMEN on the currency. Why not images of Carib Indians? Ask the population of the EC currency users who THEY would like to see on the currency and be INCLUSIVE. Using HISTORY on your currency also works in an educational manner,
This is a ridiculous, stupid decision. Completely wrong. The Queen’s image has always been on the EC dollar: it is an unchanging constant. Either her image should remain, or I should be replaced by an image of the King, in line with tradition. He is, after all, still our head of state. Replacing her image with the ECCB logo would be extraordinarily boring and dull. Absolute shame.
I for one agree , % with this as we try our best to detached ourselves from this bond with the UK as they try so hard to keep us under their control with things like visa to visit their country.
You enjoy financial support from the UK now. Don’t be so two faced. Reparations may come yet. Keep your friendship and connections in place to support your cause. You can’t ask for constant assistance and spit in the face of those who still support the island and people.