The Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development, joined graduates, mentors, facilitators, family members and stakeholders, yesterday, Monday June 8, 2026, to celebrate the successful completion of the Ministry’s ManUP Programme, as one hundred and eleven (111) participants graduated from the six-month national male empowerment initiative.

Also in attendance were the Honourable Clyde Elder, Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Dr. Narindra Roopnarine, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Community Development, Senator David Nakhid, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Ms. Florette Clarke, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Community Development, programme facilitators, mentors, stakeholders and representatives from partner agencies who contributed to the successful implementation of the initiative.

Implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Community Development through its Community Recovery Unit (CRU), the ManUP Programme was designed to address critical social, emotional and economic challenges affecting males between the ages of 16 and 40, while promoting mentorship, accountability, employability, entrepreneurship and community leadership. The initiative also supports the government’s broader national development goals through structured interventions aimed at strengthening individuals, families and communities. As such, the graduation ceremony marked the culmination of a transformative journey for participants drawn from communities across Trinidad and Tobago.