19/01/2026
GOVERNMENT PRESENTS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BARON WHO HAS BEEN PLACED IN A HOME
Statement by the Ministry of Culture and Community Development:
JANUARY 18, 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
HONOURING A CULTURAL LEGEND: MINISTER BENJAMIN PRESENTS
ASSISTANCE TO CALYPSO ICON BARON
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - The Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development, has called for and announced greater support to be provided to the nation's cultural veterans during a media briefing, today, January 18, 2026. This, as she presented financial assistance in the amount of TT $50,000.00 to Mrs. Sherma Watkins, wife of legendary Calypsonian Mr. Timothy Watkins, affectionately known as "Baron". The presentation was made in collaboration with the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), represented by President, Mr. Ainsley King and the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC), which was represented by its Chairman, Mr. Peter Kanhai.
The assistance will contribute towards Baron's ongoing medical care, as he is currently receiving treatment at a specialised home for his specific health needs. This intervention follows discussions with Mrs. Watkins, after which Minister Benjamin acted swiftly to ensure immediate support, marking a first step in a broader commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the nation's cultural legends.
Minister Benjamin reaffired the Ministry's dedication to supporting cultural practitioners who have served as ambassadors of Trinidad and Tobago's culture at local, regional and international levels. She further underscored that this intervention is not an isolated initiative, noting that the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, in collaboration with key stakeholders led by the restructured NCC, will undertake a broader review of the needs of veteran artistes to ensure they receive sustained and meaningful support especially during "rainy days". During the presentation, Minister Benjamin stated, "This is about honour, dignity and responsibility, our culture is our legacy and we must stand with those who built it."
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development remains steadfast in its mission to support, protect and uplift the cultural icons and practitioners who have shaped the nation's identity, ensuring that their contributions are recognised, their well-being secure and their legacy preserved for generations to come.
