Independence Message
By The Honourable Alando Terrelonge, Mp, JP
Minister of State
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

Fellow Jamaicans,

As we commemorate Jamaica’s 63rd anniversary of Independence, under the theme ‘Be Proud. Be Bold. In the Black, Green and Gold!’, I extend warm and heartfelt greetings to you our Diaspora family. This year’s theme urges us to embrace our heritage with pride, to confidently accept who we are as a people, and to embrace the national colours that represent our struggles, strengths, and boundless potential. It calls on each of us, at home and abroad, to be committed and united around the realization of our national development goals.

Be Proud

As you enjoy the rich cultural diversity on display in the many festivities and pre-Independence celebrations planned across the Diaspora, you also honour the legacy left by our forebears. Though we know there is still much work to be done, we must acknowledge how far we have come as a people.

I am pleased to report that under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, we are delivering policies that connect communities, expand opportunities, and make progress real and visible in the daily lives of Jamaicans. Over the past nine years, our disciplined focus on economic management, growth, and citizen security has delivered remarkable results. Jamaica’s debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen from a daunting 144% to 68% - one of the most significant debt reductions globally. Inflation is at a historic low of 3.8%, well below projections, and unemployment has dropped from 15% to just 3.3% - the lowest level in our history. Major crimes, including murder, are down by 42%, making Jamaica safer than it has been in more than three decades. These are not just statistics, they are the story of a nation moving forward with discipline, purpose, and unity.

Just last week, we handed over 93 new buses to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), strengthening the school bus system and giving thousands of students a safer, more reliable way to get to class. These buses also expand comfortable, inter-parish travel for all Jamaicans, linking Half-Way Tree to Ocho Rios, Negril, Montego Bay and beyond.

At the same time, we continue to tackle crime not only with robust enforcement but by addressing its root causes by investing in our young people, broadening access to quality education, and creating real pathways to success. More than 2,250 STEM scholarships have been awarded in the past two years, technical and vocational training has been expanded, and digital access has been widened through free community Wi-Fi and tablets in schools. Programmes like SPARK continue to modernise roads and public spaces, while major infrastructure upgrades connect communities and unlock economic opportunities. We are building a Jamaica where hope is not just promised - it is seen, felt, and trusted by every citizen, every day. 3

Fellow Jamaicans,

The resilience and tenacity displayed by our forefathers in challenging circumstances, remain sombre and poignant reminders of the price for our freedom and the establishment of a proud and sovereign Jamaica. This journey and that of the more recent past, have helped to forge the Jamaican character and personality and have laid the foundation for the achievements and successes our nation has earned through sport, music, arts, academia, business and culture, among other areas, both at home and in the Diaspora.

Be Bold

The Jamaican Diaspora has always demonstrated confidence and courage in the face of adversity and you have played an outstanding role in building Brand Jamaica on the international stage. As brand ambassadors for Jamaica, your frank and inimitable character, flavoured by our rich culture, talent, creativity and innovation, have brought tremendous value to the communities where you reside, and Jamaica. At the same time, your economic and social contributions to family, friends and a grateful nation, continue to have a positive impact on the attainment of our goals. The Government of Jamaica appreciates your unwavering love, support and commitment to our beloved island home.

Although our journey has been tough, you have supported the efforts of the Government to strengthen the nation and to build on its accomplishments. A grateful nation salutes you, and as we reflect, let us redouble our efforts to ensure that the next 63 years are marked by even greater collaborations and partnerships defined by mutual understanding and a shared purpose. Together, we can build a future that honours our past while embracing our tremendous progress towards the upliftment of our people.

I wish you, my Diaspora family, a happy 63rd anniversary of Independence!