ST JOHN'S, Antigua – Following the January 20 history-making inauguration of the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer reiterated his government’s intention to rename the island’s highest point, Boggy Peak, to ‘Mount Obama’.
PM Spencer indicated that his government came to the conclusion that the 1319-foot mountain should be renamed and transformed on Obama’s 48th birthday, August 4.
Spencer initially made this announcement in early November, less than 24 hours after the Illinois senator had been elected. He said, “In offering a lasting tribute to you [Obama], I shall take immediate measures for Antigua and Barbuda’s highest mountain peak [Boggy Peak] to be dedicated in your honour and renamed Mount Obama”.
The Antiguan PM confirmed his initial announcement earlier this week when he said, "In keeping with my government's earlier stated intention, I now re-commit to honouring President Barack Obama and his magnificent and never-to-be-duplicated accomplishment by renaming our Boggy Peak ‘Mount Obama’.
"The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda will now move to institute a body of appropriate persons and organisations to plan the renaming and subsequent transformation of Boggy Peak into Mount Obama."
Spencer added that the transformation would lend greater significance to the island’s carnival festivities happening around the same time as he said carnival “celebrates the Black man's Emancipation from slavery".
The Antiguan leader in his congratulatory message to Obama stated that he is “conscious of the promise of Obama’s presidency in shaping a new paradigm in America’s relationship with the other nations of the world”.
Spencer added, "I join people of colour all over the world, and indeed all people, in celebrating this historic occasion which I am certain will ignite action from people the world over to aim high despite inadequacies and injustice."
The decision was not well received by many Antiguans who expressed that although Obama’s victory signifies a great achievement, he has not contributed to the history of development on the island.
It is unclear at this point whether there has been public consultation to move toward the decision.
Antigua News