Abeng 88 Must Be a Tool for Empowerment – Senator Falconer

The highly anticipated Accompong Maroon Community Radio Station, expected to come on stream this year, must serve as a vehicle for empowerment and development of the people of Accompong and its environs, said Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer.

She was addressing the 277th annual celebration of the signing of the Maroon peace treaty and the birthday of Captain Cudjoe, held yesterday (January 6), in St. Elizabeth.

The radio station ‘ABENG 88 –the Voice of the Maroons’ is a project between the Accompong Maroons and the National Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Miss Falconer said ABENG 88 must produce and air creative content for the retention of authentic Maroon expressions, culture and way of life.

“ABENG 88 must be a platform for the dissemination of information on your vibrant cultural heritage. It must be a medium to share the wonderful and rich heritage of an indigenous people with the outside world … I encourage you to use it to safeguard and build greater awareness and appreciation for the Maroon heritage and your important contribution to the Jamaican and Caribbean space and existence,” she urged.

She expressed the hope that ABENG 88, through its programming, will be able to reach out and pass on lessons for the benefit of the wider society.

“Jamaica has a highly competitive radio and media market, but I know that ABENG 88 will offer a different type of radio to its listeners … the Ministry and the UNESCO National Commission stand ready to support the people of Accompong in the effective use of this facility for the benefit of the people of Accompong,” Senator Falconer pointed out.