Tribute to late Sir Shridath Ramphal: He was one of Commonwealth’s brightest lights – Secretary General

– says his legacy is one of unity, hope

As tributes continue to pour in for the late Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal, who died on August 30, 2024, surrounded by his children in Barbados, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland described him as “the giant of the Caribbean and one of Commonwealth’s brightest lights.”
Sir Shridath Ramphal was the second Commonwealth Secretary-General, who served from 1975 -1990. During his tenure, Shridath was instrumental in the fight against institutional racism in Southern Africa, playing a key role in the termination of apartheid in South Africa.
Nelson Mandela once said of him: “He is one of those men who have become famous because, in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the whole world as their theatre.”
In a release issued on Saturday, the Commonwealth Secretary-General highlighted that the late extraordinaire served the Commonwealth with extraordinary vision, compassion, wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to the values which bind our family of nations.

It was noted that he will be remembered, for his legacy is one of unity, hope, and a relentless pursuit of a more just and equitable world, with an influence which extends far beyond the Commonwealth as he leaves an indelible mark on international relations and his work will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
“His statesmanship was rooted in his humanity. His leadership was characterised by his belief in the power of dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation, and his unwavering dedication to justice. His committed advocacy for the rights of small states, and his tireless work to bridge the divides which too often separate nations and peoples, was remarkable and visionary… He guided the Commonwealth through some of its most challenging and transformative moments and steered us into the modern era. His life reminds us of the transcendent impact that one individual can have on the global stage,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell shared similar sentiments, noting that the body is immensely grateful for Ramphal’s pivotal contributions to regional integration and development, as an eminent jurist, Minister of Government and Attorney-General in his native Guyana.
“His influence extended beyond our shores to the international arena, where his decisive leadership as Commonwealth Secretary-General impacted outcomes on global matters including the ending of apartheid in southern Africa. Further, his deep intellectual interest in regional development issues led to significant publications, which are an invaluable legacy for the young people of our Region,” the CARICOM Chair related.
Moreover, on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat, Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett joined the region and the international community in mourning his loss and lauded his life marked by committed service and excellence.
“He was a leading advocate of regionalism, and contributed practically to its advancement, notably in high-level service to the legal fraternity, institutions of higher learning, and as Chairman of the West Indian Commission which produced the 1992 seminal report, “Time for Action”. An astute negotiator, he was appointed by Heads of Government to lead the CARICOM Regional Negotiating Machinery in negotiations in the external trade arena”.
Sir Shridath, born on October 3, 1928, in New Amsterdam, British Guiana (now Guyana), was a towering figure in international diplomacy and a cherished elder statesman of the Commonwealth and the Caribbean.
Educated at King’s College London and Gray’s Inn, London, Sir Shridath was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Lady Lois Ramphal, on September 20, 2019.
His distinguished career spanned numerous pivotal roles: Assistant Attorney-General of the West Indies Federation, Minister of Justice and Foreign Affairs of Guyana, and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. He also held concurrent positions as Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), the University of the West Indies (UWI), and Warwick University.
He was the only individual to have served on all the Global Commissions that produced landmark reports on the environment, development, and disarmament between 1980 and 1995. As Chairman of the West Indian Commission, his 1992 report, “Time for Action,” remains a seminal blueprint for Caribbean development.
Globally respected, Sir Shridath served in various capacities, including President of the World Conservation Union, Special Adviser to the UN Conference on Environment and Development, and Chief Negotiator for the Caribbean on External Economic Relations. He was also a mediator and facilitator in elections and constitutional crises.
In his later years, Sir Shridath continued to serve with distinction. At 92, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he was the first lawyer to appear virtually before the International Court of Justice, representing Guyana in a significant border dispute with Venezuela.
Sir Shridath was the recipient of numerous prestigious honours, including the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG), the Order of Excellence of Guyana (OE), the Order of Merit of Jamaica (OM), the Order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo from South Africa, Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), and an appointment to the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand’s highest civil honour.