INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE 2023
from
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Fellow Jamaicans,
We celebrate yet another milestone in our nation’s history, filled with pride at our many triumphs and sober appreciation that the journey of nation-building continues. This year, we embrace the theme “Jamaica 61, Proud and Strong”, honouring the bold and courageous attributes of the Jamaican people, which have remained evident throughout the years. As we reflect on and celebrate our many accomplishments, we pause to also acknowledge the struggles of the brave men and women who helped to pave the way for our Independence and the establishment of nationhood.
Today, we embrace this milestone with much vigor and enthusiasm, cognizant that over the last six decades, Jamaica has steadfastly punched above her weight, making contributions far greater than might be expected of a nation our size. On the international stage, Jamaicans are trailblazers in many fields, with sports and music among the most notable, representing the nation proud and strong. As we commemorate our 61st anniversary, we note with utmost pride that Jamaica reached the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 and has qualified for the 2023 Netball World Cup, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the second consecutive tournament. Likewise, our world-class track and field athletes are well on their way to defend their titles and reach new heights at the World Athletics Championships to be held in Budapest, Hungary later this August.
On the national front, the Jamaican economy has been performing well by every measure. Indicators continue to show positive signs for continued growth, development and prosperity. Jamaica’s economic stability and recovery in spite of myriad global challenges, is a great accomplishment which has gained recognition and acclaim by our international partners. This has undoubtedly been recorded with the support of our Diaspora. The Government remains committed to this longstanding partnership with you and looks forward to your continued collaboration as critical players in nation-building.
As we celebrate these and many other achievements, we are also working assiduously to overcome the challenges which confront us as a nation, including in the areas of crime and security. We are committed to implementing innovative approaches towards crime fighting, strengthened by the greatest level of investment in national security in Jamaica’s history, as well as appropriate social intervention programmes and legislative reform. Our unmatched efforts also include vast improvements in policing facilities, recruitment and training, to strengthen institutional capacity. Our efforts have been bearing fruit, including a double digit decrease in major crimes. These challenges have been deeply entrenched for years, and so we still have a difficult road ahead, but be assured that we are committed to this journey and that Jamaica is becoming a safer and more peaceful country of which we can all be proud.
Buoyed by our national aspiration towards constitutional reform and the transition from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, this year’s anniversary of independence takes on added significance as we embark on this generation-defining project. The Diaspora is a critical stakeholder in this process, and arrangements have been put in place to have your input on this all-important matter.
As our resilience continues to shine in this post-pandemic era, as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, I look forward to Jamaica’s increased visibility within the various geopolitical spheres of interest and influence. Jamaica also depends on you to be good ambassadors, who are fully involved in creating linkages that increase our international prospects. I therefore welcome re-energized engagements with our global Diaspora, including at the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference to be held in June 2024.
In the spirit of patriotism and unity, let us continue to forge the legacies that we desire, let us charge ourselves with the will to work collectively at home and abroad, with dedication and commitment, making “Jamaica 61, Proud and Strong”, another mantra to build on.
Happy Independence 2023!
