CARICOM congratulates Jamaica at 54

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has congratulated Jamaica on its 54th Anniversary of Independence and pledged continued support for the country’s efforts to achieve even greater levels of development.

In the congratulatory message to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Mr. Andrew Holness, CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque noted the country’s impressive strides in its development since independence in 1962, made through the people’s industry and creativity.

The theme for this year’s celebration “Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright” is drawn from the works of Jamaica’s late music superstar Bob Marley, whose excellence, the Secretary-General said is an apt reflection of Jamaica’s contribution regionally and globally.

Read full message:

“Most Honourable Prime Minister,

On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I extend to the Government and People of Jamaica hearty congratulations on the 54th Anniversary of your country’s Independence.

Prime Minister, Jamaica has made impressive strides in its development since that momentous day in 1962. With industry and creativity, the people of Jamaica have set about building their nation while ensuring that progress is in a democratic and stable environment.

Your theme for this year’s celebration, “Let’s Get Together and feel Alright” is drawn from the works of one of Jamaica’s most famous citizens whose excellence is an apt reflection of the contribution the country has made regionally and globally. In academia, culture, music, sport and many other fields, Jamaica has distinguished itself.

As Jamaica goes forward on the solid platform built over this first 54 years, the Caribbean Community, of which Jamaica is an active and influential Member State, will continue to support and contribute to the country’s efforts to achieve even greater levels of development.

Congratulations once again on this milestone of nationhood.”

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Independence Day Message from Prime Minister, the Most Hon, Andrew Holness

By Office of the Prime Minister August 6, 2016

Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness, O.N., M.P.

Story Highlights

It is fortuitous that we are celebrating our independence at the same time that our athletes are in Rio, all set to bring glory again to this small nation, an athletic superpower.
Our Founding Fathers had high hopes for us. In a speech in Britain in February 1962, just before our independence, Rt. Hon NormanManley said, “There is no country in the world, not now independent, which is more fit to achieve that status than Jamaica now is.
I suggest, fellow Jamaicans, that the way to make this Independence more meaningful to our young people and to older independence sceptics is not to give lectures on patriotism or to upbraid them for not being patriotic enough. If we concretely change people’s everyday realities where they begin to feel the impact of independence, they will lose their skepticism.

Fellow Jamaicans,

It is fortuitous that we are celebrating our independence at the same time that our athletes are in Rio, all set to bring glory again to this small nation, an athletic superpower.

Our athletic prowess is one indication of our excellence as a people. It is a metaphor of our distinction. A distinction manifested in our music, with us punching way above our weight, by creating a genre, reggae, which is known and revered globally; and in our vibrant culture which has made its indelible stamp on the world in the areas of cuisine, fashion, dance, sculpture, and theatre.

That a country with a population of approximately two point eight million people can have the fastest man and woman in the world and produced an artiste, Bob Marley, who’s single One Love the BBC could have designated “theme of the millennium”; and whose album ,Exodus, Time magazine could have voted “Album of the Century” is, indeed, thrilling.

We are the people who have produced the world famous Blue Mountain coffee and have given the world the all-inclusive hotel concept. We have produced world-class scientists, intellectuals, entrepreneurs and statesmen. We are a people of distinction, with an illustrious history.

Our Founding Fathers had high hopes for us. In a speech in Britain in February 1962, just before our independence, Rt. Hon NormanManley said, “There is no country in the world, not now independent, which is more fit to achieve that status than Jamaica now is. Indeed, we have been ready for Independence long ago…” Rt. Excellent Hon. Sir Alexander Bustamante, on that same trip, said: “We must move forward with the firm resolution of making Jamaica the greatest little nation on earth. With the help of God, we intend to achieve this.”

The fact is, we are yet to maximize our potential. That must be the mission of this generation. Independence is as good a time as any to soberly reflect on our 54 years as a nation.

In making an objective assessment, it must be admitted that there is a sense among our people, especially our young people , that we have underperformed.

Among our primary deficits has been our failure in the post-independence period to grow our economy on any sustained basis. We have had spurts of economic growth, only to be followed by long periods of decline. We must begin to reverse that and normalize economic growth and prosperity. This must be the commitment of this generation.

We must resolve to end:

Our debt Milstone. .
Fiscal deficits
Anemic economic growth
Implimentation deficit and bureaucratic inertia
We must build a culture compatible with economic prosperity. This must include:

Scientific and technological innovativeness, characterized by rising levels of investment in research and development.
A dynamic, creative SME sector that is avant-garde and nimble.
A facilitatory , customer-focused public sector.
An energy-efficient economy with heavy emphasis on renewables.
An equitable, efficient , simplified and production-driven tax system
An economy with strong and growing backward and forward linkages which foster a virtuous circle
Protection of our physical environment and promotion of environmental sustainability.
On the social side, we must make the following commitments as we move into our 55th year:

To foster a society where respect for human rights is second nature.
To inculcate respect, honour and dignity in our everyday interactions.
To promote discipline in our homes, workplaces, places of recreation and on the roads.
To build strong, wholesome families.
To care and protect for our children, elderly and those living with disabilities.
To protect the economically vulnerable and marginalized.
To create opportunities for our young people to develop their full potential.
To build a health care system that is truly universal in both access and quality.
To provide adequate infrastructural facilities for our people to live lives of dignity—by providing appropriate housing, water and roads.
To create decent jobs which allow for self-actualization.
to reduce both the levels of violence, our acceptance of it as a means of resolving conflict and our casual references to violent metaphors.
These are not impossible dreams. They are attainable goals. We must commit ourselves to them and work toward them.

I suggest, fellow Jamaicans, that the way to make this Independence more meaningful to our young people and to older independence sceptics is not to give lectures on patriotism or to upbraid them for not being patriotic enough. If we concretely change people’s everyday realities where they begin to feel the impact of independence, they will lose their skepticism.

We should be managing our affairs so well that there should be no doubt that we are better off today than we were under colonialism. Economic independence is what will give full meaning to the Independence Project. By economic independence we are talking about strengthening our economic foundations and laying the ground work for sustainable economic development.

When we are managing our own affairs with fiscal prudence and discipline, we advance our economic independence.

We are a people of excellence who have already made our mark upon the world. Over the next few days, the eyes of the world will be on us in Rio as we shine yet again.

We need to create our own Rio at home. We can win gold in the economic race. But like our athletes,we must prepare, prepare, prepare. If we apply that same discipline, that same focus, that same tenacity, that same resilience—despite setbacks, injuries and hurdles.—we will succeed.

Independence is ultimately about freedom—that is why our Independence celebrations are tied to our Emancipation celebrations. They are indivisible. This is, significantly,the fiftieth year since the emergence of Rocksteady in Jamaica . One of the greats of that era, who is still preforming today, is Mr. Ken Boothe.

One of his Rocksteady hits was called Freedom Street.

His dream is our dream:

“I see a big, big street

Where all ends meet

It must be Freedom Street

O Lord, Freedom Street

Everybody know

We gonna walk, we gonna walk

Walk, walk walk

Down Freedom Street” .

That is our goal. Fellow Jamaican with the grace and guidance of God Let us walk together down freedom street with optimism and determination to succeed.

IMAGE: Prime Minister, the Most Honourable
Andrew Michael Holness, O.N., M.P. Photo: JIS Photographer

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Independence Day Message from LOO, Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller

By Leader of the Opposition August 6, 2016

Story Highlights

My fellow Jamaicans here at home and the millions in the Diaspora, I wish you all a happy Independence.
Our people have blazed trails of success globally in many different fields.Theyhave established Jamaica as a recognised brand and a sought after destination.
As a people and a nation we can fulfil the possibilities of Independence when we work together to build our communities.

My fellow Jamaicans here at home and the millions in the Diaspora, I wish you all a happy Independence.

Independence is the celebration of the best of Jamaica;our dynamic culture and the many achievements of our people.

Our people have blazed trails of success globally in many different fields. They have established Jamaica as a recognised brand and a sought after destination.

Jamaicans are excelling as scientists, teachers, doctors, nurses, chefs, business people, engineers, musicians, recording artistes, film makers, athletes,and in many other professions. Our people are the backbone of our country.

On this Independence Day I salute all Jamaicans who contribute in some way to our national life and to the stability of our nation year after year.

They add meaning to our history and embody hope for the future.

Independence is also a time when we honour the founding fathers and mothers of our nation.We pay tribute to Jamaicans who have contributed to building community and national institutions that make our country strong.

We recall the words of Sir Alexander Bustamante, who said, quote: “Be not afraid to do your duty towards your countryman and towards humanity.” End quote.

It was Norman Washington Manley who reminded us that, quote:

“I affirm Jamaica that we are a great people. Out of the past of fire and suffering and neglect, the human spirit human spirit has survived, patient and strong…” End of quote.

We remember those who have toiled in the political vineyards of the past, and Jamaicans who continue to see virtue in political service.

Serving one’s country should never be about personal gain.Political service is about making life better for the less fortunate.

It is also about improving conditions for all, so that the country as a whole can make progress year after year.

I know that the observance of Jamaica’s Independence also has special meaning for our people in the Diaspora.

Our brothers and sisters overseas are also hosting festivities and rekindling their cultural traditions.

As we celebrate this Fifty Fourth year of our Independence, we thank God for how far we have come as a people.

He has brought us through the fire of challenging times.

Today, God continues to strengthen our handsas we seek to provide for our families.He sustains usas we strive to make Jamaica a better place now and for generations to come.

Independence this year is being celebrated as our athletes compete in the Rio Olympics. They are again flying the flag of Jamaica high with great pride and excellence.

They excelon the shoulders of the support of all Jamaicans. We send them our love and we know they will again bring glory to our nation.

The achievements of our national athletes are a lasting reminder of the importance of unity, teamwork and community.

Unity is required to surmount the remaining hurdles to national success that is the promise of Independence.

We must be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Together, we must work to overcome the challenges that face us.

Our villages must raise our children and take responsibility for their safety, growth and development. Jamaica’s children are among our country’s greatest assets. They are a wellspring of hope for a better future.

That is why we must do everything possible to safeguard our Education system,which must be the catalyst for national development.

Adequate funding and equal, unrestricted access to education for all are essential. They are required in order to prepare our people to fulfil local needs and meet global skill demands.

In this effort, Government, parents, teachers, students, school administrators, businesses, the church, and all other stakeholders must play their part.

In every area of national life individual responsibility, community action and the collective will of the Government urgently are needed to move Jamaica forward.

We must face the dangers and the current public health threat of the Zika Virus and its associated illnesses as one Jamaican family.

This is a serious threat that demands urgent and consistent action by all.

As a people and a nation we can fulfil the possibilities of Independence when we work together to build our communities.

It is my hope that the celebration of Independence will rekindle the spirit of community right across Jamaica.

As we celebrate, let us do so safely, respectfully and peacefully.

Let us support the security forces as they maintain law and order to keep us safe. In our celebration, always remember to give consideration to the privacy and rights of others.

Let us respect other people’s property and lives.

Respect for lives, including our own, means exercising caution when we drive, ride and walk on the roads. We want you to be around to celebrate many more Independence Days.

So, let us be responsible and careful over this holiday and always, as we get together and feel alright.

Happy Independence Day!

May God continue to bless Jamaica, land we love.

IMAGE:

Leader of the Opposition, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, O.N, M.P +
Photo: JIS Photographer

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