The Government of Grenada has made a significant investment in excess of EC$650,000 in the Community Steelpan Programme, COMS-PAN, reaffirming its commitment to cultural development and youth empowerment across the tri-island state.
The programme, which targets 20 young people in selected communities in every parish, was officially rolled out in Carriacou on Friday, 16 January 2026, with Minister for Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture Hon. Adrian Thomas describing the initiative as a strategic and long-term investment in Grenada’s cultural and creative future.
Minister Thomas emphasised that national investment must extend beyond traditional infrastructure. “Investment does not always refer to roads, bridges or buildings. We must also invest in music and culture. The Creative Economy is a very important aspect of this government’s thinking,” he said. “We believe the Creative Economy is lying like a volcano, just waiting to erupt. It has the potential — just like nutmeg and cocoa — to generate foreign exchange for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.”
The minister also expressed his vision for Grenada to become self-sufficient in steelpan production and maintenance. “When we decided to purchase the pans, we also thought about investing in facilitators and tutors. Beyond that, we want to develop our own tuners. The pans came tuned from Trinidad, but we do not want to continue depending on others. We want to build our own capacity.”
Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government Hon. Tevin Andrews welcomed the programme’s arrival in Carriacou, describing it as tangible proof of the government’s commitment to preserving and revitalising Grenada’s cultural heritage. “This is not lip service. We recognise the challenges facing our culture, and while some say it is dying, we are taking deliberate action to revive it,” he said. “There is now a clear structure and vision to position Grenada as a mecca of steelpan music.” Minister Andrews shared his aspiration to see steelpan once again embedded across communities in Carriacou, as was done in years past in areas such as L’Esterre, Harvey Vale, Six Roads, Mt Royal and Bogles.
Chief Cultural Officer Kelvin Jacob explained that COMS-PAN was designed to address longstanding challenges related to access to instruments and the absence of structured steelpan ensembles in many communities. “The goal of COMS-PAN is to expand community steelpan ensembles as hubs for youth development, cultural celebration and sustainable growth,” he said.
Jacob added, “Our vision is to establish vibrant community steelpan ensembles across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, while training arrangers, tuners and manufacturers to ensure the long-term sustainability of our steelpan heritage.”
The panhouse is located in Mt Royal, the home of Shakespeare Mas. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm.
Ministry of Tourism
