The Hon. Alando Terrelonge, MP was appointed State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on May 22, 2023. Prior to this, he served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.
Mr. Terrelonge was born to parents Winsome and Calvin Terrelonge in the small community of Grants Pen, St Andrew. As a child, he went to the Shortwood Basic School and then moved on to the Half Way Tree Primary School. He always dreamt of becoming a lawyer and was taught the values of a good education by his parents. He never misses an opportunity to quote his mother’s favourite expression, “If you want good, you nose affi run”, which he says is the reason for his success in life.
A graduate of Campion College, Mr. Terrelonge pursued his legal studies at the University of the West Indies, where he attained his Law Degree. He was later admitted to the Jamaican Bar after successfully completing his studies at the Norman Manley Law School, where he was the recipient of several awards and represented the Law School and Jamaica internationally.
In 2008, he was awarded the Chevening Scholarship by the British Council, to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, where he studied courses related to International Relations; International Criminal Law; and International Human Rights. Following his master’s programme, he moved to Madrid, Spain, where he worked on matters related to the promotion of Democracy and International Peace & Security with a Think Tank called FRIDE.
His love for Jamaica and his family saw him returning to Jamaica in 2010, where he decided that in order to effect change in our society, it was time for him to play his part and let his voice be heard on social issues. He soon became a Guest Columnist for both the Gleaner and the Observer, writing about politics, law and social justice. He has also been featured on Profile with Ian Boyne, and has been a guest on many television and radio
programmes speaking about law and politics. In 2011, His passion for both law and education led him to become an associate tutor at the Norman Manley Law School where he tutored Trial Advocacy for several years.
His commitment to nation building later pivoted him into the new role of politics. Following his historic win in the Jamaica General Elections of February 2016, he became the first member of the Jamaica Labour Party to win a seat in the Municipality of Portmore in 36 years. He now represents the constituency of East Central St. Catherine and views his role as Member of Parliament as a means to continue to make a positive impact in the lives of his constituents and play his part in building a better and more prosperous Jamaica.
In February 2019 he was appointed by the Honourable Prime Minister to serve as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, with direct portfolio responsibility for Youth and Information. He previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports. He is a champion of education, youth empowerment, sports and community development and constantly reminds the youth of Jamaica, who he refers to as his young kings and young queens, that an education is the best gift they can give themselves, as not only is it the ultimate tool of empowerment, but it is the one thing that no one can ever take away from them.
