Caption: Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Hon. Alando Terrelonge
(MFA&FT: July 11, 2023)
The Honourable Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, welcomes recent media reports which credits the innovation behind mass produced iron and the resultant industrial revolution, to enslaved workers on a Jamaican plantation.
“The academic paper authored by Dr Jenny Bulstrode, a lecturer in history of science and technology at the University College London (UCL), testifies to the innovative and resourcefulness of Jamaicans. Some would argue that it adds fuel to the reparations movement, as it was this method practiced by slaves in Jamaica and exported to the empire that propelled Britain to its leadership role in the Industrial Revolution,” Minister Terrelonge stated.
The Minister, who last month participated in Windrush Day (June23) activities in London, England and who gave the keynote address at the 7th United Kingdom (UK) – Jamaica Diaspora Regional Conference, in the same city, reiterated his commendations to the Windrush generation and their descendants, lauding them for their ‘stellar contribution’ to the UK and their homelands, including Jamaica.”
The Minister with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs cited the Guardian article and the related study as “further evidence of the impact that Jamaicans have had wherever they call their home of abode.” He drew reference to the presence and contribution of Jamaicans throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including non-traditional receiving countries like Panama, Colombia, Honduras, Belize and Costa Rica.
