(Jamaica Observer) NEW YORK — Marlene Malahoo-Forte, Kenneth Baugh’s deputy, has been dispatched to pound the pavements of North America, beginning today in New York, to smooth over anxiety that the Government is losing the Diaspora.
Amid growing fears that some angry Jamaicans in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada might boycott next month’s biennial Diaspora conference set for the scenic northcoast resort town of Ocho Rios, St Ann, Malahoo-Forte is facing an uphill task and might be too late.
“In light of the apparent misunderstanding about the convocation of the Diaspora Conference and the preparation there for, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade considers it important to meet with the Diaspora in each region to clarify,” said the invitation to Jamaicans to meet the junior minister on the second floor of the Jamaican consulate at 767 Third Avenue, New York.
The minister of state will be rushed the following day to a similar meeting with Diaspora leaders in Florida, the consulate confirmed.
The Jamaican communities, famous for their high levels of remittances and their ability to rally aid in times of disaster in their homeland, have complained bitterly about their alleged non-involvement in the determination of the agenda of the Ocho Rios ‘convention’ to be held from June 15 to 17.
They are also opposed to the attempt by Malahoo-Forte to change the method by which members of the community choose their representatives to serve on the Diaspora Advisory Board, fearing it could be politicised.
Ahead of today’s meeting, leaders in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the largest concentration of Jamaicans overseas, have indicated they want immediate changes. Several member organisations are coordinating plans to have the controversial guidelines withdrawn and the convention agenda revamped, the Observer has learnt.
There are also complaints over Government’s failure – denied by Consul General Genevieve Brown-Metzger – to engage Diaspora leaders in the decisionmaking process and the lack of provision for discussions on critical issues at the convention. The National United Kingdom Diaspora has already met and voted against the guidelines.
Putting a bright face on the situation, Senator Malahoo-Forte, in a press release on the weekend, said it was all systems go for the fourth Jamaican Diaspora Convention.
“In fact, registration, as reported from the Diaspora and Consular Affairs Department within the Foreign Ministry, especially within the last week, has increased significantly,” she was quoted as saying.
Under the theme, “One Nation: Jamaica and its Diaspora in partnership”, this year’s Convention will examine, among other things, Partnership with the primary objective of both national and Diaspora development in the areas of education, health and national security; promoting brand Jamaica via sports, culture, investment and trade.
