Edney Cain

Sir Edney Cain
Born	Template:Birth date Belize
Died	January 17, 2008(2008-01-17) (aged 83) Belmopan, Belize
Occupation(s)	Accountant, public servant, diplomat
Years active	1940–1991
Known for	First Governor of the Central Bank of Belize; Financial Secretary during 1987 economic crisis; Belizean ambassador and high commissioner

Sir Henry Edney Conrad Cain (born 2 December 1924, passed away 17 January 2008) was a distinguished Belizean accountant who devoted over five decades to public service. Honored with a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986 and recipient of the "Order of Distinguished Service" in 2006, he is celebrated for his critical role in restoring Belize’s financial stability and replenishing its foreign reserves amid the 1987 economic crisis.

Education

Sir Edney Cain’s educational journey included attendance at Ebenezer Primary School, followed by St. George's College and St. Michael's College. In 1953–54, he independently financed his studies in accountancy and auditing in the United Kingdom. He achieved certification from the Association of Certified & Corporation Accountants in 1954 and subsequently earned accounting qualifications from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

Government service

Starting his public sector career at age 16 in 1940 as a messenger at the Wireless Station, Sir Edney Cain progressively advanced through a variety of positions. He was appointed as the inaugural governor of the Central Bank of Belize in 1982 and held several ambassadorial roles until 1990. His most prominent appointment was Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance during the pivotal year of 1987, when Belize faced liquidity difficulties alongside implementing a Structural Adjustment Program with the International Monetary Fund. Over two years, Cain effectively addressed these fiscal challenges while successfully rebuilding the country’s foreign currency reserves. He concluded his government tenure in December 1991.

Positions held

• Messenger, Wireless Station, 1940
• Supernumerary Probationer and Junior Clerk, 1942
• Third Class Clerk, 1945
• Second Class Clerk, 1946
• First Class Clerk, Audit Department, 1953
• Examiner and Senior Examiner of Accounts, 1955
• Auditor, Audit Department, 1959
• Assistant Accountant General, 1961
• Accountant General, 1963
• Special assignment at Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, 1970
• First Managing Director, Belize Monetary Authority, 1976
• First Governor, Central Bank of Belize, 1982–1983
• Belize’s inaugural resident ambassador to the United States, 1984
• Non-resident High Commissioner to Canada, 1984
• Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance, 1987
• Resident High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ambassador to France, Germany, Belgium, Vatican City, 1987–1990
• Governor of the Central Bank, 1991

Honors

• Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), 1965
• Elevated to Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), 1975
• Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986
• Conferred with the "Order of Distinguished Service" on Belize’s silver independence anniversary in 2006
• In tribute to his vital contributions to Belize’s financial health, Belmopan’s New Administration Building was renamed "Sir Edney Cain Building" in 2008

Literature

• Authored a poetry collection published in 1948 entitled When the Angel Says "Write"!.

Death

After contending with cancer for eight years, Sir Edney Cain passed away at age 83 on 17 January 2008 at his residence in Belmopan. A state funeral took place five days later at Wesley Methodist Church located in Belize City.